

1 ^^ .> 


> i 


b^' 







Class. 
Book. 



presenti-;d by 



Xfts JVlessenger. 



1S81 



BU DD, 



Gentlenien'8 Outfitter 



SHIRT MAKER. 



I loi Broadway, Mac'"';^^ Square, 



NEW YORK, 



Tv-iv\<ic(^1 Livitverai^v L'-'~ 



Tfts Mssssn^sr, 



ji msTORir 



OF THE 



CLASS OF 1881, 



OF 



\ixxxt^^ixtxx ^oll^g^^ 



UY 



HENRY McALPIN, Jr. 



CLASS HISTORIAN. 



HOKACK H<_)I,I>1';N, Stationer mul Printer, .jS Pine Street. 
1881. 



TO 

^^t Ptmliers anb Jrienbs 

Of the Class of '8i, 
THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED, 

WITH THE RESPECTS OF 

THE AUTHOR. 



Horace with sly insinuating glance, 
Laughed at his friend and looked him in the face. 
Would raise a bhish when secret vice he found. 
And tickled while he gently probed the wound. 

— Drvden. 



INTRODUCTION. 



An author, by appearing in print, requesting an audience, 
should have something worthy of attention to offer or he will 
be justly deemed officious and impertinent. However, the 
thought of having my name placed on the title page of this 
book is so pleasing and flattering to my feelings, that I am 
contented to risk something for the gratification. 

This preface is not designed to commend the volume to 
which it is prefixed, for the author fully appreciates its short- 
comings, but it is intended to call attention to the motives 
and intentions your author had, in writing some of the per- 
formances of his classmates. 

It would be improper and unseemly for them to celebrate 
their own deeds. It has been our privilege to record events 
that may awaken a recollection of incidences and scenes 
which through the lapse of time they had almost forgotten. 
If in this volume any have been neglected or made too prom- 
inent, we ask the forgiveness of both. 

To the first, we would say it was of course not intentional, 
for it has been our aim to record all incidences of interest that 
have occurred. We are fully aware, however, that many things 
have happened during our college course that never came to 
our notice. 

To those made too prominent, we will say, it is not our 
fault they have made themselves notorious, but our duty as 
historian was to record such events as would lend interest to 
this history. We have at all times drawn things mild, and 
have endeavored to say nothing that would hui t the feelings 
or character of any one. In some instances we have deemed 
a hint sufficient to flood the mind of certain members of the 
class with recollections better appreciated through hints. 



We fear that the form of this history will not be pleasing 
to the taste of all. We are aware that it is not strictly a his- 
torical form, but as all do not take interest in the same affairs, 
it seemed to us, that more general satisfaction would be given 
if like sports and incidences, could be found in their respec- 
tive places under the several chapters. 

It has been one of our chief aims i«i writing these articles 
to mention the members of the faculty as seldom as was pos- 
sible without detriment to the history, but when any of them 
are spoken of in a seemingly light manner, the author had 
no intention of detracting in the least degree from their 
dignity. 

Now your historian asks your leniency in criticisms ; he is 
aware that much could be improved, but because it is 
not better is not because he has neglected his duty, but 
because he was unable to do more. May this volume, when 
the shadows of manhood are cast upon our now youthful 
faces, be to us a sacred grave yard, where many fond recol- 
lections are buried, but recall by the epitaphs many of the 
pleasant recollections crowded together in the four years of 
our college course. 



CHAPTER I. 

RUSHES. . 

On the lOth of September, 1877, the verdant spirits of '81 
were seen flitting about the campus, most of them guarded 
by parents who sought this last opportunity to administer a 
parting warning, or give cheer to the now drooping spirits. 
They wandered from Museums to the Library, and from the 
" Gym " to Witherspoon. 

Soon these parents leave us and we are launched upon our 
college course. The bell pealing out from North College 
warns us of the swiftly passing hours, and calls out to us that 
we are gradually leaving the shores of our boyhood and 
slowly, though scarcely perceptibly, approaching the haven 
of our manhood. Thus as the hours roll on we become more 
familiar with the objects that surround us, and more bold in 
assuming the duty of a college man. 

Two days had passed since we had entered upon the 
arduous studies of Freshman year, and still we had heard 
nothing from those creatures, who had caused us so many 
smiles and blushes the previous June, and who were called 

" Sophs." 

This quiescent attitude on the part of the Sophs, was not 
in accordance with the desires of the more pugilistic portion 
of our class, for they feared we would lose too much valua- 
ble time. They concluded to commence the attack, and 
accordingly a strip of paper was passed around the class, 
which read thus : 

"There will be a gathering of '8i this evening in front of the Scientific 
School in order to rush the ' Sophs.' " Pass this on." 

Many complied with this summons simply to satisfy their 
curiosity, for they wanted to see what kind of a thing a 



10 

" rusli " was ; others 'knew that it was some action against 
the " Sophs," and thought thej were lionor bound to help 
tlie class on to success. 

Thus through many different motives the whole class was 
gathered together at the appointed time, and each one upon 
his arrival was crowded into the line that was then being 
formed, and were not allowed to leave even though their 
hearts failed them. It was a noble sight. There at the 
head of the class stood John Kirk, Vlymen, and Shaw, 
while at the other end coald be found Dougall, Dodd, and 
Welles, with the rest of the class between them formed in 
rows of three each. This was the first time '81 had formed 
in a body to oppose anything. Tliey certainly presented a 
formidable appearance ; determination was seen in every 
face, and we were ready to oppose any obstacle that might 
confront us. 

We are formed ; all is ready for the conflict. Now in the 
distance is heard the strains of something singing to the 
class of '80. They are coming ; we stand in expectation ; the 
looked-for foe appears. The order " march " is given ; a 
shout ! a shock ! a pile of men ! The rush is over . After 
we regain our feet we hear much noise and quarrelling con- 
cerning the fairness of carrying a cane in a rush, but all ends 
with a victory claimed by both sides. 

We are now aroused, we will rush anything — from a 
class of Sophs, to a stone fence, and, if necessary, will rush 
any number of times. Again we are formed into line, and 
set off with the determination to overcome and trample under 
foot any number of Sophs, it might be our fortune to meet. 
Our line is once more in motion, but this time we meet no 
host of Sophs., nor even a stone fence ; but some one yells 
the little word " Mat." There was something in the tone of 
his voice that indicated danger, and as the first few lines 
broke into disorder and scampered away across the campus, 
we all followed without inquiring the cause of this disorder. 
The little word " Mat " melted our line as the snow is 



11 

melted beneath a spring clay's suu. We luu in every direc- 
tion into the neighboring houses, and Archer, mistaking the 
house in which he lives, rushes through Mrs. Anderson's front 
door, up stairs into what he thinks liis room, and hides him- 
self in the closet. After his eyes have become accustomed 
to the darkness that surrounded him, and his mind ready to 
receive impressions, lo ! much to his horror, he sees dresses, 
real female dresses, hanging in the place of his clothes ; he 
rubs his eyes and looks again, but still they are there. He 
cautiously opens the closet door and recognizes nothing 
about the room. 

The idea that he is in the wrong house flashes across his 
mind; in his imagination he can feel Mr. A. helping him 
out of the front door. He stealthily sneaks down the stairs, 
starting at the sound of every creaky step ; finally the door 
is reached, and the cool air of that fall evening fanning his 
heated brow restores him to quiet once more. 

By this time the fellows have begun to leave their hiding 
places, and now gather around the object that caused our 
fright. This man " Mat " lets us know that we are to have 
no more rushing that night, consequently we retire to the 
streets, and there formiug into line again march in triumph 
unmolested around the triangle singing 

Here's to '8i, drink her down, 
Here's to '81, drink her down, 
Here's to '81, for she's always up to fun. 
Drink her down, drink her down, drink her down, down, down. 

After marching round the cannon, and giving three cheers 
for '81, and three groans for '80, we went to our rooms aud 
discussed in husky voices the fun of rushiug. This was dis- 
cussed with so much enthusiasm among a few that the next 
morning "Isty," and one or two others, took the responsi- 
bility upon themselves to announce in a general way that 
there would be another rush that evening, but through some 
misunderstandiug as to the time and place of our meeting, 
only a few of our fellows appeared. Those who on the night 



1^ 

before came to the rush from curiosity, had been satisfied ; 
others also who did not relish the idea of having their heels 
trampled upon again,refrained from indulging a second time 
in this reckless sport. The few that did appear were formed 
into line at the foot of a hill, and here we awaited the "Sophs." 
When our guardian Juniors who had so wisely formed us, 
found a defeat was inevitable, they ordered our lines to 
disband. All but the three first lines obeyed, and these 
nine men met the attack, but of course with no success. 



13 



SOPHOMORE RUSHES. 

When we returned to college in September of Sophomore 
year, we determined not to let any of the Freshmen rnn over 
us as we had run over the Sophs, in our Fresh, year. We were 
prepared to meet them in anything they might propose, 
and showed before the year was past that we Avere more than 
a match for the combined energy of the Junior and Freshman 
classes ; the Juniors not only concocted the schemes for the 
Freshmen, but helped them to carry them into effect. 

A few evenings, after the affairs of college were well started 
we agreed to rush the Freshmen on equal grounds, also that 
we would not molest them while they were forming, but when 
they were ready to rush they could come within a certain 
distance of us before they could be rushed. After the set- 
tlement of all these preliminaries they formed down Bayard 
Avenue and we by the Episcopal Church. 

The Freshmen numbered many more than we did, and our 
line was extra short because those of our class who had been 
suspended the year before did not dare enter upon the 
violation of the college laws so soon after recrossiog the 
threshold of their college course. With Kiek, Vlymen and 
Shaw again in the front line, and ten encouraging voices 
from the pavement, we looked very formidable to the Fresh- 
men. 

The Freshmen indulged in a lengthy preparation, but 
their advance was announced by a herald. Wo waited 
until they crossed the mark agreed upon ; here they seemed 
to falter, and we, seizing the opportunity rushed down upon 
them, putting their line into confusion. We mashed a few 
of them against an iron fence until they begged for quar- 



14 

ter. We granted it, and they scampered away as fast 
as they could go and did not appear again upon the scene 
of action. 

All the Freshmen that remained, formed again into line, 
and at a short distance, we stood facing them. Both lines 
moved towards each other, then came the shock — their line 
bends, and they rush each other, and we again, without any 
difficulty push our way through them, and another victory 
is scored for us. We might have continued this sport until 
the Freshmen grew sick of defeat, had not " Mat " put in 
an appearance, which was sufficient to stop the rushing. We 
marched around the town singing — 

" I wish I had a little Freshman." 

A little later in the year the Freshmen showed some 
signs of precociousness, so a few of our class concluded it 
would do the Freshmen good to take them down a little, 
and not allow them to get their mamma's letters that evening. 

Selheimer, Monroe, and some others, appeared at the 
Post-office earlier than usual, and arranged themselves so 
that when a Freshman appeared inclined to get his mail they 
could send him out of the door faster than he had entered, 
or else close around him in a way more affectionate than 
agreeable to him. After a few had been shot from the door, 
there appeared one upon the scene of action, more bold than 
the others, who attempted to come in, but Greer Monroe 
considered it his duty to make him go the way the other 
Freshmen had gone, and accordingly the verdant youth sud- 
denly disappeared, only to return enraged. He dared 
Greer to come out, and before the Freshman knew what 
he was doing, he found himself knocked over in the mud. 
Dennis came to see Greer the next day, and Greer left 
town for a week on business. 

The Freshmen were forming in the street to come into the 
office in a body, but before they knew what we intended 
doing next, we rushed upon them in a body, and they ran in 



15 

all directions ; theu we returned to the office. By this time 
the Postmaster had become infuriated, and was "spotting" all 
the fellows that he knew, we concluded that it was about time 
for us to leave, and marched out into the street again, but 
" Dinks " was violently pulled from the line and seated in the 
muddy ditch. " I will thrash the man that did that," said 
Dinks, but changed his mind when he saw that it was the 
haadiwork of our dwarfish Proctor. 



17 



CHAPTEE II. 

OUR LIBRARIAN. 

One da}' shoitl}' after our entering college Welles went into 
that beautiful structure the Library. It was his first visit to 
that building. He walked in with wondering gaze, in one 
hand he held his hat, and in the other a book which he had 
just been using in the recitation room. Scarcely had he en- 
tered the door and begun to feast his eyes on the beauties 
around him, when he saw a little grim-looking inan descend 
from what seemed to him a sentinel box. He had not time 
to collect his thoughts ; he felt a tug at his arm, and heard a 
nasal voice say " Read this." When Welles sufficiently re- 
covered himself he saw confronting him a framed document 
which was headed " Laws of the Library." In casting his 
eyes hurriedly over tlie first rule he found that it required 
him to leave his hat and book in the hall before entering the 
room. Obej'ing this order, Welles quietly retired to the 
Hall and deposited his hat and book, but the look of the 
little man had made an indelible impression upon his youth- 
ful mind, and it was with timidity that he re-entered the 
room. In admiring the building he only used one eye, for the 
other was kept busy in watching the movements of his friend 
whom he saw was scrutinizing him with a withering glance. 

The idea flashed across Welles that he wanted a certain 
book, but he did not altogether like the idea of asking any 
assistance from the gentleman behind the railing, so he con- 
tinued his efforts but in vain, and finding he was not likely 
to discover the volume he wished, he cautiously approached 
the cage-like stand. 

When about to ask for the desired information Mr. V. shot 
the following interrogation at hipi : 



18 

Mr. v.— Well, what do you want ? 

Welles. — Where, sir, can I find 3Iiss MulilbacKs Queen 
Hortense ? 

Mr. V. [In a loud tone of voice) — First, would you expect 
to find it among the Scientific works, or is it Historical ? 

Welles. — {Frightened almost to death) — Among the His- 
torical, sir. 

Mr. V. — If it is Historical, would you expect to find it 
among the Modern or Ancient works ? 

Welles. — Among the Modern, I should think, sir. 

Mr. V. — If it is among the Modern Historical works, then 
would you look for it in the prose or poetical alcove ? 

Welles {Looking for a ivay out of the Lihrary) — I don't 
know, sir. 

Mr. V. — Now, think ! what kind of a book is it ? 

Welles. — It is a novel. 

Mr. Y. — What kind of a novel ? 

Welles.^ — Historical. 

Mr. V — Well, then, would you look in the fiction or his- 
torical alcove ? 

Welles. — In the fiction alcove, sir. 

Mr. V. — Certainly ! Why do you not look there then ? 

Here Welles was discouraged, for he knew in the first in- 
stance that the book must be in the fiction alcove, but that 
was what he could not find. 

When he made this known to Mr. V., that worthy gentle- 
man called his attention to a sort of schedule on the desk, 
and told Welles he could find out from that. 

After many vain attempts to decipher this schedule, he 
came to the conclusion that it was intended to show where the 
books ought to be, but from it he could learn nothing. He 
made known to Mr. Y. his inability to read this scroll. At 
this announcement Mr. V.'s eyes flashed fire, his lips grew 
ashy and quivered with anger ; he burst forth in a most en- 
raged tone, and accused Welles of attempting, under the 
mantle of ignorance, to annoy him, and said that if he heard 



19 

anything more from him he would summon Mat Goldy 
and have him ejected from the building. At this juncture 
Welles almost swooned away. First, at being so falsely 
accused, and secondly, at the idea of having "Mat" come 
after him. 

He mustered up energy enough to dive for the door, and 
had almost laid his hand upon the knob, when he was 
again startled by the familiar voice calling after him, " Come 
back here ! where are you going ?" 

Another mistake had been made by him. He had almost 
entered the Trustees' room instead of the Hall in which he 
had left his hat. 

After receiving another lecture upon his impudence, imper- 
tinence, and precociousness, he was put upon the right path, 
and waiting only long enough in the Hall to seize his hat, he 
shot from the door leaving his book behind him. If we are 
to believe rumors, Welles never crossed the threshold of 
that building again during Freshman year. 



20 



CHAPTER III. 

BOATI NG. 

The boating interest in College was at its lowest ebb when 
the class of '81 entered among the number entitled t® the 
use of the boat-house, and a place on the " Raging Raritan 
canal." 

Our class was unusually blessed with lovers of this aquatic 
sport, so numerous in fact were the applicants for a place on 
the class crew that it was determined to allow George 
GoLDY to pick out twelve men whom he thought best built 
for oarsmen. 

On the appointed day about thirty candidates presented 
themselves at the " Gym.," and held themselves in readiness 
for the inspection ; among this number were seen Craven, 
Kirk, Bocot, '•' Fatty " Ryle, Lang, Mike O'Ryan, and 
others. 

After much thumping, expanding, and hardening of mus- 
cles, it was announced that twelve men had passed their 
physical examination, and that, that afternoon they were 
to be subjected to their o(a)ral examination on the canal. 

That afternoon the twelve men presented themselves at the 
canal. The rowing was done under the supervision of Mr. 
John McGaw W. He ran along the bank by the side of our 
boat and wildly gesticulated to us, calling out first to star- 
board and then to port, to pull harder, to keep their backs 
straight, etc. He called to each of these sides so often that 
Billy Coursen's curiosity was aroused, and he asked the 
man next to him who was named Starboard and Fort in the 
boat. This remark was appreciated by all in the boat, and 
Billy's ignorance of nautical terms ruined his chance for the 
crew. Our actions so enraged our coach that he swore by 



21 

Neptune and all his train, tliat if we did not keep our eyes 
in the boat we would never learn to row. 

Out of the two crews that were fairly tried that afternoon 
only seven were considered capable of training up in form 
during the short time allotted to us before the race. 

Within a few days the number had dwindled down to 
Billy Roberts, Tommy Bradford, McDermont, West. Lynd, 
and another. These five rowed diligently every day, while 
the sixth seat was always filled by a new man. 

The time passed on and still the crew was not chosen. 
Oar coach always found some fault with tlie new victim, and 
discarded him only to choose another. 

Those of our class who watched our movements with 
growing anxiety and interest became impatient for the choos- 
ing of the sixth man, and urged the necessity upon the five 
already chosen to assume command and settle this point 
themselves. This they soon did, and the following crew was 
to represent us in the class races : Billy Roberts, stroke 
and captain ; McDermont, No. 5 ; Bradford, No. 4 ; 
McAlpin, No. 3 ; Warren, No. 2 ; and West Lynd pulled 
bow. In this crew rested our hopes for great deeds, for 
things never before done in the annals of college boating, and 
conceived only in the youthful mind of the dreaming enthu- 
siast. 

Our crew made such wonderful progress in their rowing 
that the other two crews who at first feared little from us 
now grew anxious as to the result of the coming race. The 
time appointed for the race soon drew near, and the day 
soon came on which we shipped our shell for Burlington, 
which had been chosen as the scene of the contest. 

At noon, on the 12th of October our creiv, with their boat, 
were nicely settled on the Delaware, and were the guests of 
the " Oneida Boat Club," of Burlington. 

W^e had hoped to have been able to have rowed over the 
course that morning, but the Delaware appeared to us more 
formidable than the raging Raritan had done. 



2^ 

We sat mournfully upon the float of the boat-house watch- 
ing the huge waves lash themselves to foam upon the rock- 
bound shore, and we often, with a sigh, wished that the wind 
would die away, and allow us to ply our oars upon the placid 
bosom of this now boisterous stream. 

That afternoon, much to our delight, our wish was fulfilled, 
for the waves so greatly subsided that we ventured upon the 
river in our light craft. After a few short moments of anxiety 
we became more at home upon this stream, and glided easily 
down the river. So evenly did we pull that the other two 
crews feared us more than ever, and our motions were highly 
commended by the spectators who watched us from the boat- 
house. 

After tea, guided by an inhabitant of the town, the three 
crews visited, by the light of the moon, a grand building 
which was used as a young ladies' seminary. We had no in- 
tention of making any disturbance in the school ; oh, no ! 
but only wantt d to catch a glimpse of some of the smiling 
countenances, and thought the sweet strains of music might 
bring about the desired end. In order that we might the 
more plainly be heard, and could the better see without being 
seen, we entered the grounds and hid ourselves in the deep 
shadows cast by the towers of the building. The note was 
struck, and with one accord, but many a discord, the tune 
was raised and swelled with eighteen voices. All hopes of 
order in the school room was lost, the girls rushed to the 
windows, threw them open, and showed their hearty ap- 
proval of our musical talent. We now became enthusiastic 
and cheered them vociferously, when suddenly Billy Roberts 
felt a firm grasp upon his muscular arm, and looking round, 
he found a man very diminutive in stature held him. He re- 
primanded Billy in the most furious tones for daring to come 
into his enclosure. Billy blandly smiled, and the man, who 
proved to be the principal of the school, growing more furious, 
informed " Billy " that he was the one in whose care three 
hundred young ladies were intrusted, and that he did not 



23 

intend to be smiled at in that sarcastic manner. Billy sug- 
gested to the old gentleman that he must be a very happy 
man. 

The rest of the party hatl by that time retired to the 
gate, and still Billy lingered ; he seemed to have no idea 
of leaving so soon, such a field for mashers. Things were 
changed ! The little man finding his commanding manner did 
little in over-awing Billy, called his bull *' purp," and Billy 
immediately sought refuge on the nearest fence, but left a 
mouthful of the leg of his pants with the female protector. It 
is said that a young lady the next morning found this piece of 
gentleman's wearing apparel and has kept it as a memento 
ever since. 

When success seemed ours and each one's hopes were 
raised to their highest pitch, blind fortune in an unlucky hour 
dashed the cup of bliss from our lips. 

The night previous to the day of the race, Harry Warren 
was taken sick, and we found that he would not be able to 
row. We had no substitute, and could not think of anything 
that could be done. In our despair it seemed as though we 
would be unable to row, and as a last resort we accepted the 
services of one who had been very kind to us in super- 
vising our training but who was not himself trained, and 
he it was who filled the vacant seat. 

The hour for the race at last came. The merry throng of 
fellows wandered to the banks of the river. Here were gathered 
together all of the inhabitants and beauties of Burlington. 
It was an inspiriting sight. Our crew, cheered by the yells 
of encouragement sent up by our classmates, rowed slowly 
down to the starting point. 

All were in position, the time drew near for the word 
" Go !" Three crews bent forward on oars waiting in breath- 
less expectation for this word. It came, and like three arrows 
shot from the same bow they started off together. 

We held our place until we reached the end of the first 
mile, when the new man gave out and became a dead weight. 



24 

From that time we lost ground but cyme in a very good third. 
After the excitement of the race was over tne fellows sought 
the depot and then with song and laughter we waited for 
the arrival of the train which was to bear us to our des- 
tination. As the engine came thundering up the track 
" General " Myers, who was a little elated from some unknown 
cause wanted to buck the locomotive off the track, but was 
prevented before any harm was done to the train. 

By eight o'clock that evening Burlington was cleared of 
all Princeton students, and once more the old-fashioned place 
settled into its wonted tranquility and peace. 

On our way home that evening Powers Farr was holding 
the cane of a portly Junior, when a Sophomore came up to 
him, and in a very unceremonious manner demanded the stick. 
Powers refused to give up the cane intrusted to his keeping ; 
at this refusal the Sophomore seized the cane, and a struggle 
ensued; they were evenly matched, and tumbled around the 
car promiscuously, knocking off the hats and " specks " of 
old gentlemen and, it is said, then caught in the bonnet 
strings of an old lady, which took off her head gear, and 
snatched her hald-lieaded. 

The tussel went on for some time, but at last Powers 
threw the " Soph." into a plate glass door of the car making 
a wreck of it. At this critical moment the conductor came 
in and demanded the stick, at which request Powers yielded 
his hold and the " Soph " took the cane from the conductor's 
hands, who became so enraged that he made the Sophomore 
pay for the glass. At that time the Junior came in and 
demanded his property, which was yielded up without any 
controversy. It proved a dear fight for the Sophomore 
and a feather in Power's cap, because his antagonist was one 
of the strongest men in '80. 



25 



CHAPTER IV. 

RECEPTIONS. 

Never weddinir, ever wooing, 

Still a love lorn heart pursuing, 

Read you not the wrong you're doing, 

In my cheeks pale hue ? 

All my life with sorrow strewing 

Wed, or cease to woo. 

— CAjMPBELL. 

Shortly after our retvirn from the Christmas vacation in 
Freshman year our class received invitations to a reception 
given by one of the Professors at his house in our honor. 

We were greatly elated and excited about it and whenever 
any of the fellows passed each other they would make some 
remark about " going to the ball." 

Much to our delight the evening at last came and we 
waited in joyful expectation for the arrival of the hour at 
which we were to make our entrance into Princeton society. 
Symmes misconstrued his invitation, as it read "tea from six 
until ten." He concluded he would not keep the family wait- 
ing for him, and he also thought he would get the first pick 
at the things to eat, so he went at five. The Professor and 
his family were just sitting down to a light repast when 
Symmes was ushered into the parlor. He was invited to 
come in and have a little tea, which invitation he of 
course accepted. After they had finished, he thought he was 
expected to arrange the table for the next comers, so, 
much against the wishes of the host, he helped to arrange the 
supper table. He was at last disturbed from his occupa- 
tion by hearing that some young ladies had arrived. He 
thought that part of kis duty as a favored guest was to help 



26 

entertain them, so lie left the dining room for the parlor. 
Here he made himself very agreeable, until Hudnut was 
ushered in. Symmes rushed up to him, shook his hand, in one 
breath he welcomed him, and asked him if he had had any- 
thing to eat. There is no telling what he would have done, 
had not the fellows at this time arrived too fast for him to 
attend to. 

The young ladies of the town were the only ones that had 
been fortunate enough to be invited to this Freshman recep- 
tion ; they, however, were all new to us, but unfortunately 
were few in number, consequently the male persuasion were 
in the majority, and those fellows who were able to get near 
enough to a young lady to be introduced considered them- 
selves luck}'. 

It was an animated sight ! Princeton's fairest daugh- 
ters surrounded by a host of admirers who stood with open 
mouths, all anxious to say something which they could not, 
because of the incessant conversation kept up by the ladies. 
In other parts of the room were gathered groups of fellows 
discussing the subject of dancing, and how soon it would 
begin ; how long before supper would be ready, and some- 
time athletics became the topic of conversation. Some few 
unfortunate fellows who were not lucky enough to be among 
the chosen satellites, and who could not become interested 
in the conversation of the fellows, because they were pain- 
fully aware that there was to be no light fantastic tripped that 
evening, were seen wandering listlessly about the room look- 
ing at pictures or books, or doing anything that would con- 
sume the time until supper should be announced. 

When at last we were invited to partake of the repast pre- 
pared for us, those fellows who had previously secured 
partners, marched triumphantly into the supper room. To 
some of the fellows who had to escort themselves, I am in- 
debted for the following incidences of the occasion : 

" Dinks " had been Miss R' — 's escort. After a slight 
pause in the conversation which tliev had kept up, 'Miss 



27 

R. said, Mr. Landon, how do you like ' Spencer's Fairy 
Queen ?' '* What in the world was Spencer's Fairy Queen ? 
thought Dinks; Was it something to eat ? for they had just 
been talking of fancy dishes. These were his thoughts when 
Miss E-. saw the puzzled expression upon his face and asked 
him "Which of Spencer's works he liked best?" Then it 
flashed across his mind that it must be an author, and he 
thought " he liked that one she had just mentioned," but, 
said he, " I have never read many of her works." Carlyle 
was next mentioned, and met with about the same result. 
In a short time after these themes had been discussed, 
" Dinks " escorted Miss R. into the parlor and soon after 
excusing himself he inquired of Stuart Brown about Car- 
lyle, Stuart thought for a moment and then said that 
he did not know where Carlyle was, but he thought Carl- 
Helaum was on Nassau street. 

Billy Egberts stood with a plate of ice cream in his hand 
and smiled at Miss A., who smiled again at him. Billy 
said something, and took three or four large teaspoons full 
of cream in quick succession, and Miss A. quietly said" Yes." 
Then came a pause, during which Billy saw a figure flit by 
him. Like a sunbeam breaking through a cloudy sky came 
a thought to Billy which illuminated his whole countenance. 
He gathered together all his reserved energy and said " I feel 
so sorry for poor old Stevy, his legs are so little and they — ." 
There is no telliug what he would not have said, for he had 
a good start, but he was stopped in his mad career by Miss 
A., who interrupted him with the remark, " He is my father." 
Billy blushed to the roots of his hair when he thought what 
he had said, and to make it worse it was about the parent of 
his partner . Another silence followed, his thoughts made this 
the most pai)iful silence he had ever experienced. At this 
break in the conversation the host came up and asked them 
to have some more soup, this they both simultaneously de- 
clined, and soon betook themselves to the parlor. Shortly 
after they had become settled upon the sofa, and had resumed 



28 

their usual animated conversation, Gus Webb was brought 
up and presented to Miss A. Billy excused himself, and 
Gas opened the conversation with Miss A. by asking her if 
this was her first visit to Princeton? She blandly smiled, and 
said she had lived in Princeton all her life. Gus then started 
on the weather for he thought it time to change the topic. 

There was now but one couple left in the dining room. The 
reason for their staying so long was not because of the amount 
they had eaten, but because " Sooner " Fowler who was not a 
large eater, was such a terrible talker ; even in " Fresh." year 
he was very entertaining because of the large supply of funny 
stories he knew. It was on account of the numerous anecdotes 
that he had told Miss M. during the repast, that made them 
linger so long around the festive board. He was talking in 
his dry manner when some fellow happened to hear him say 
something about an old graduate returning to his alma mater, 
and in connection with the graduate and his room, "Sooner " 
in some way brought in the remark aboat»tlie same old game. 

The young lady was seen to smile and slightly blush. 
Sooner cleared his throat and made another remark, at which 
Miss M. said : " I am afraid you are an axtinl fowler and you 
are giving me taffy, but T am too old a bird to be caught by 
such chaff." At this instant Penn Whitehead was intro- 
duced to Miss M., and Sooner left. By this time the fellows 
had greatly thinned out, and it was on account of this that 
Penn was able to monopolise the attention of Miss M. He 
had just fairly started upon his usual rapid manner of talk- 
ing, when he was interrupted by hearing a small still voice 
say : " Come, daughter, fold up your tent like the wandering 
Arab and silently steal away." 

Penn thought it was about time for him to leave. 




29 






UNIVERSITY HOTEL, 



Monday Evening, June iCnh, ^^79; 

AT TEN O'CLOCK. 



Admit Gentleman and Two Ladies- 



This feature of commencement, which in '79s Soph, year 
had proved a brilliant success not only in enjoyment but aS" 
a means for making the classic shades of Princeton more 
brilliant with female beauty, seemed to all the lovers of the 
mazy dance just the thing wanted to add some life to the 
week devoted to speechmaking. After due consideration, a 
committee of thirteen was elected by the class, whose duty 
it was to make all necessary arrangements and make the 
evening as enjoyable as possible. 

This committee was composed of Blydenburgh, Bruce, 
Farr, Harland, Ingham, Landon, Loney, McAlpin, Munn, 
Pitney, A. Scribner, Vandyke and Webb. 

Soon after their election, they had a meeting, discussd 
the best way to work, and the many things necessary to do. 
The work was divided into different parts and a committee 
for each part was appointed. Many were the meetings held 
by them, and long the discussions as to the most economical 
and successful manner of transacting the business. 

After much worry and anxiety, mingled with the pleasure 
of anticipation, the evening came. We drew a sigh of relief 
to think it had come so near to being a realization, but 



30 

eight o'clock was sounded from the chapel clock and no 
musicians had made their appearance. The committee grew 
anxious ; silent thoughtfulness was seen in the face of every 
member of the committee. What could be done, should not the 
music come ? This and many other such remarks escaped 
their lips from time to time, but when at last, hope had almost 
died out, the music came and the ball was set in motion. 

Seldom indeed has Princeton witnessed so brilliant a scene. 
The walls of the rooms had been decorated with perfect 
taste. Suits of mail reflected from their polished surfaces the 
rays of the brightly-lighted hall, and made it still more bril- 
liant ; flags of all nations were draped upon the walls ; the 
orange and black hung in graceful festoons from the ceiling. 
Such an array of female beauty was never before gathered in 
one hall. " Eyes looked love to eyes which spake again, and 
all went merry as a marriage bell." 

Here Beauty to Art was wed, without sacrificing any of its 
simplicity in the alliance. The porches, curtained in and 
dimly lighted, afforded many recesses where those weary of 
dancing might find rest. 

The sweetness of soft music was wafted hither on the sum- 
mer breath. With these surroundings, those who had never 
before now felt the sensation, became romantic. Even 
Charley Munn was heard to indulge in the following con- 
versation : 

Charley (looking pathetically into Miss M.'s face) — "Miss 
M., I feel that now I am nearer heaven than ever before. 
Those eyes, like stars, sparkle best at night. That expression, 
most divine, makes you a goddess at whose altar I am an 
earnest devotee, and I worship the ground you walk 
upon." 

Miss M.— " Oh ! Mr, Munn, how you flatter, and I do not 
like flattery." 

Charley. — " I do not flatter, but speak the truth, which 
comes from no other source than my heart. I repeat it, I 
love you, and " 



31 

Miss M. — "But Mr. Munn, you have not known me half 
an hour." 

Charley.—" That matters not ; I loved you even before I 
knew you. I was bewitched by those bright eyes, that sil- 
very musical voice, and — ah — do you love me?" 

Miss M. — You did not attract my attention before I met 
you, and you must remember you are only a sophomore." 

Charley was about to make some remark when Gus. 
Webb came up and claimed Miss M. for the next dance, and 
Munn was left alone in silent meditation. 

Many such incidents made the evening memorable. 

Nothing happened to mar the pleasure connected with such 
an entertainment, and although the room was crowded, the 
evening passed rapidly and pleasantly. Many of our class, 
who had not dress suits of their own, borrowed them. 
"Isty" wore Dave Haynes' coat, and made many "mashes." 

When the festival was over, and the sounds of dancing had 
ceased, the moon had just set in the west ; the morning star 
had begun to fade ; the calm glories of the night were be- 
ginning to lift from all around. The first blush of morning 
was seen in the eastern sky and chanticleer ushered in the 
coming day when we reluctantly left the hallj not without 
feeling that lassitude which always follows earthly joy, no 
matter how sweet. 



82 
OHAPTER V. 

CANE SPREES. 

The eighteenth of September, 1877, was a memorable day 
for our class. All during the morning we were greatly ex- 
cited, for that evening the preliminary cane spree was to 
take place. Who was to represent our class we knew not. 
The choosing of the proper one we had left to our guardian 
Juniors. 

At about eight o'clock that evening, the crowd, which had 
been for some time accumulating about " East," form d 
themselves into a ring, in the midst of which stood two 
dumpy-looking men, whom we soon found out to be the con- 
testants. Four men at first held the cane, but at a certain 
signal two took their hands off; the other two, who were 
stooping over the cane, with their heads in close proximity, 
proved to be the champions, who held the reputation of the 
class at stake. From the twisting and turning that followed 
we saw the fight had begun. We heard the " Sophs " cheer- 
ing on their man and calling him pet names. We were un- 
acquainted with the nomenclature of our representative and 
simply yelled, " Go in '81, that was a good one !" " Give him 
another, '81 !" &c. Eighty-one did go in, and gave him sev- 
eral more, but without success, nor could the " Soph " gain 
anything from his tricks and one year's experience. They 
were so evenly matched that neither could take the cane. 
After a long but plucky fight, it was determined to cut this 
fated wand. This we considered a victory for us. It rested 
with the Sophomore to take the cane from our man, but as 
he was unable to do so we claimed that our man was cham- 
pion. He was raised on our shoulders, and we started off on 
a triumphant march. We rent the air with wild discord in 
singing praises to John Kiek. 



33 

A few nights after the preliminary cane spree, each mem- 
ber of our class having previously secured a guardian Junior 
and a cane, met at the north end of "Dickerson" and 
marched to the grass plot back of " East." Upon our arrival 
there was so much yelling that we could scarcely hear our- 
selves think. 

The matches which had been previously arranged were soon 
started. Loney took a cane in about two seconds, which 
greatly surprised the Sophomore. Bradish was fortunate 
enough to get a small man, and shook his head almost off of 
him. 

At different points of the held the Seniors could be sesn 
feeling the muscular development of Freshmen before in- 
trusting their wards into the Freshmen's clutches. The 
Junior who had charge of BiLLY Bacot told him not to 
harden his muscles when a Senior wanted to see how strong 
he was, but to let his arm appear as soft as possible 
Billy, indignant at this advice, drew himself up to his 
Freshman height and said : " Would you have me deceive 
them? Oh no. Sir, I will not enter upon this contest if I 
will have to do anything of that kind." His Junior told him 
that he could do as he chose. Billy frightened away several 
"snaps ;" finally a man took him, and, after a short struggle, 
Billy yielded up the cane. 

The cheers given, announcing a victory for each side, at 
first were faint, but as the evening passed away and the 
figlxts became fewer in number, the crowds became concen- 
trated and the yells more intense. When, in the middle of 
the evening, McDermont took a cane from one of the "brag" 
men of the Sophomore class, the fellows rushed frantically 
about, hugging each other and exhibiting most peculiar 
demonstrations of delight. 

The fights ultimately dwindled down to one, and this was 
represented by Bruce. He had begun among the first in the 
evening, and had hung on until he was now the last. The 
judges had agreed to cut the cane at a certain time if neither 



34 

had taken it. The time drew near ; ten seconds were called. 
Beuce made one more desperate effort and took the cane 
before time was called. This, of course, produced wild 
excitement, and "East College" shook with the cheers that 
went up on this occasion. 

The next morning the class was canvassed, and it was 
found by actual count that we took seven more canes than 
the Sophomores. 



35 



SOPHOMORE YEAR. 

PEELIMINARY. 

The evening agreed upon proved to be mild and clear ; 
the fellows gathered on the front campus to witness the test 
of strength. The ring was in due time formed, and we were 
ready to match any man '82 saw fit to bring out. In the 
middle of the circle stood a large man mulHed to his ears, 
who challenged any man in our class. Kirk was called 
upon, and once more our champion of Freshman year en- 
tered the arena, thisi time to gain a more decided and bril- 
liant victory than he had gained the year before. 

After the usual amount of discussing and arguing was 
ended, and all of the necessary preludes completed, the 
fight began. The Freshman seemed to be a larger man than 
John. The fight at first looked doubtful, but through a dex- 
trous twist and turn on the part of John we scored a victory. 
Our champion was once more lifted to our shoulders, while 
the Freshman giant was allowed to find consolation in 
solitude. 

After the usual amount of noise that generally follows such 
a coincidence, the fellows quietly settled down. A second 
ring was formed, and a second victim led in. 

In this man the Freshmen were certain of success. He 
had been training under a professional coach all Summer, 
and for that reason they had great confidence in his abilities. 

LoNEY was chosen from our class as a match for him. 
Scarcely had the judges released their holds of the cane 
when the Freshman was sprawling upon the ground, having 
released his hold of the cane as he passed over Loney's hips. 
This was another ignominious defeat for the Freshmen and 
a victory for us. 



36 

GENERAL CANE SPREE. 

The general contest came off much later this year than it 
did the j'ear before. A moon light night was what the 
Freshmen were waiting for, because they wanted to see what 
they were doing. 

Oa the evening appointed for the spree, Brant, Bedell 
and a few others laid in wait around the Campus for any 
Freshman who might be taking a cane to his room to use 
that evening. After some time had elapsed without their 
having captured any prizes, they saw a Freshman who looked 
rather sheepish and walked without much bend in one knee. 
Brant accosted him, saying, " Freshman, you have a cane in 
your breeches leg, and you must give it to me."' The Fresh- 
man meekly unbuttoned his vest and drew out a nice stick, 
during which action he apologized for having it about him, 
but he did not want to make his Junior go after it. Brant 
took the cane, and told the Freshman that it was against 
the rules for them to carry even concealed canes. Bedell 
accosted another Freshman in the same manner, who yielded 
after a little resistance. No more canes were confiscated by 
them, for those two Freshmen warned the others, and none 
of them passed that way. 

The hour of the spree at length arrived, and the Freshmen 
marched to the field of " Gane-on," back of Reunion. 

Among the noticeable fights of the evening were those of 
Dave Bicketts, who did good work. Bradford, after a hard 
fight, took a cane from another of '82 brag men. Billy 
Bacot reformed this year and did not harden his muscles ; 
the consequence was ho took a cane. PoweRs Farr made 
an interesting and successful fight. Some of our best men, 
however, were unable to get any one to take them. One of 
them was so anxious to fight that he offered to take a man 
his own size, on the conditions that if he did not take the 
cane in five minutes he would give it up. Even this could 
not induce the Freshman to take him. 

The result of the evening's sport was an overwhelming 
victory for us. 



37 
CHAPTEE yi. 

MISCHIEF. 

WLat boy did mortal ever find. 
Who bred no mischief in his mind ? 

There is a time in every Freshmau year at which a certain 
crowd in the chiss become perfectly familiar with their new 
surroundings, and grow easy in the every-day course of col- 
lege life. At this period the chosen few are generally over- 
taken by the desire to pass beyond their usual work and enter 
into the realms of Mischief, whose deeds are mantled b}' the 
dark shades of night. The desire to do aught that approaches 
harm is not for a moment sustained by them, but the height 
of their ambition is to get ahead of any one who attempts to 
thwart them in the accomplishment of their plans. If they 
are frustrated in an attempt to obtain a desired object, they 
become more eager to procure it. Taking things owned by 
others (who are known to be on their guard) is not considered 
stealing, but is looked upon as a good joke. 

Stimulated by these principles and desires, in an innocent 
way we accomplished much mischief. It became our ambi- 
tion to excel in deeds of mischief all other Freshmau classes, 
and to leave behind us a record which would be difficult to 
beat. Many evenings were consumed in concocting schemes 
and putting into effect deeds which would worry ' Mat," 
and also make our names memorable. In the execution of 
these plans we succeeded wonderfully well. The town still 
lacks some of its gilt-edged ornaments, and occasionally we 
hear the vibration of some of our Freshman year deeds. 

Among the first worthy of notice was that of the duck hunt, 
which was brought about as follows : One evening a party of 
ninej consisting of Tommy Bradford, " John Bull," Bradley, 



" Dinks/' Loney, McDermont, " General," Haeey Payne, and 
another, met together in Landon's room to discuss projects 
of mischief and deeds that would make the history interest- 
ing. After the proposal and rejection of many plans, it was 
ultimately settled that we would make an attempt to obtain 
the fly-wheel of the organ, and prevent, for some little time, 
any music from that instrument. We however knew that the 
attempt would be impracticable until the early hours of the 
morning, for some of us had previously happened by accident 
to be out a little after the bell had rung for us to be in our 
rooms, and had found the Campus well guarded. We con- 
cluded that it would be better for us to wait until the hours 
of the night " when sleep comes over the faithful watchman." 
"What is to be done until that time?" asked Dinks ; for he 
felt then a little sleepy, and did not like to pass into the stage 
of peaceful oblivion with so many visitors around. "Gen- 
eral" Myers, with his usual quickness, came to our assist- 
ance and suggested duck-hunting. We all agreed to do any- 
thing he told us, and appointed him guide. The " General " 
then explained to us, in his own peculiar way, how not far 
away in a quiet little pond could be found lots of ducks. After 
he had entered into minute details as to the location of the 
pond, he suggested that we should approach this point in 
companies of twos or threes, and at a certain time concen- 
trate our forces at Jugtown, assuring us that " we would have 
more fun than a barrel of monkeys," 

We armed ourselves with a pillow-case drawn from 
"Dinks' " bed, which we intended to use as a game-bag. 

At the appointed hour these several divisions entered the 
city of Jugtown from different directions. Here "General" 
Myers held a consultation of war, and gave his opinion as to 
the best plan of approaching these game birds. His opinion 
was sufficient, and then he cautioned us as to the necessity of 
great silence. The reason of this caution was his fear that 
some kindly neighbor might get frightened at the noise and 
fire a stem reminder of mustard seed at us. 



After a sliort walk, clui'ing which we took great care to 
follow out all the precautious, we arrived at the bank of an 
old quarry, at the bottom of which could be seen a series of 
ponds of crystal waters, reflecting in their bosoms the star-lit 
canopy of heaven. In one of these small lakes, rutifling this 
lovely picture, was a llock of richly-plumed birds. They 
were unconscious of the danger that was approaching so 
near them. 

The banks, with a jagged decline on all sides, approached 
the water's edge. Led by the " General," we quickly de- 
scended into the hunting grounds. Harry Payne was left on 
the bank to keep watch and give us timely warning of the 
approach of anything that might disturb our sport. 

We were at the water's edge, the ducks were surrounded ; 
" General " ordered each man to get a stone. Then all was 
silence. But at the word we poured a destructive shower of 
stones upon the unconscious birds, which made a terrible 
splash. The frightened ducks gave vent to all the vocal 
power they possessed. Every dog in the neighborhood, 
awakened by this noise, made the air ring with their fiendish 
howls. Another storm of stones followed the first, and, if 
possible, the noise increased. At this period a man was seen 
on the edge of one of the banks, which frightened all the 
party. Bradish yelled out, " A man !" and in less time than 
it would take to tell it, the quarry was destitute of all life 
save that contained in the half-dead ducks. 

Loney started across the field at a hundred -yard dash, 
closely followed by Bradish, who in his turn had Landon at 
his heels. LoNEY thought Bradish was the man after him, 
and Bradish thought the same of Landon, whereas Landon 
was frightened at his own shadow. There is no telling how far 
they would have run, had not Bradish been brought to a sud- 
den stop by tripping on a cornstalk. As he hit the ground 
with a heavy thump, he said, "Go on, Loney — save yourself; 
I am caught." Frank stopped to see who had caught " John 
Bull," and to render all the assistance he could, when, much 
to the delight of all three, they discovered their mistake. 



McDeumont and Bra.dley were not quite so fortunate, for 
they actually were chased. As they ran by a gate, a man, 
half dressed, but who was armed with a stick, jumped out at 
them, but missing his mark, he entered in hot pursuit. All 
the dogs in the neighborhood, who by this time were wide 
awake, joined in the chase. Over fences, through fields, 
across ditches they ran until they came to the Base Ball 
fence, which Bradley and Mo. vaulted and left their fatigued 
pursuers on the other side. Breathless and angry, the van- 
quished man, muttering to himself, slowly returned home. 

"General" Myers had from some prominent fence-post 
taken in at one glance the whole affair, and when he saw this 
man, accompanied by all the dogs in the neighborhood, start 
off after Mo. and Bradley, he quickly gathered his scattered 
band together, and taking advantage of the absence of the 
enemy, we gathered into the pillow-case all the dead and 
dying ducks we could lay hands on. This mighty pouch was 
thrown across our shoulders, and with our plunder we 
marched through Jugtown into Princeton by the main street, 
for we felt there was no danger now, as all was quiet and 
Morpheus reigned supreme. 

We went to Bradley's room, where we ended the slaughter. 
The half-dead ducks were taken from the game-bag, one at a 
time, and beheaded with an old dull knife. They were then 
hung out of the window in order that they might bleed. 

By the light of the early morning, as we were returning 
from our fruitless attempt at the fly-wheel of the organ, we 
saw long streaks of blood down the side of the house. 
Fearing this would reveal our deed, we worked from that 
time until broad daylight to remove these tracks. 

The next evening these ducks were served up in the most 
approved style, with cider and cigarettes. 



41 



MCGINNESES' SPECS. 

The pair of gilded spectacles which hung in front of a cer- 
tain book-store, to show to all new-comers that an optician 
held sway within, had been for many years eagerly sought 
after by each incoming class, but so carefully did the owner 
guard his sign that all attempts to obtain it had been fruit- 
less. It was almost an impossible task to try for them, for 
every evening, as dusk set in, the specs were unhung and 
housed within the store. Some of us with eagerness had 
Avatched its disappearance each night, and notwithstanding 
the many difficulties we had to surmount, we discussed plans 
of every character concerning it, but our plans thus far 
amounted to nothing more than plans. We began to fear 
that our fate would be the same as that of all other Fresh- 
man classes. As this thought grew on us each day the more de- 
termined we became. One evening as McDeemont, Bradley, 
Bradford and another happened by the store, they spied the 
spectacles swinging on the bar. 

NoAv was our chance ! now or never ! — and heedless of the 
crowd that was on the street, " John Bull " jumped on Mc.'s 
shoulders and plucked the glasses from the bar that they had 
for so many years graced. Before anybody knew what was 
going on. " John " was half way to his room with the specs 
snugly tucked under his arm, and in a few^ hours after it hung 
as an ornament on his walls. 



4^ 



FRESH FIRE. 

Among the annual performances of eacli Freshman class 
is that of building a fire' around the cannon, and to prove 
that we could do as much as any other class had ever done, 
we made all due arrangements necessary to make the attempt 
a successful one. 

In our prospecting for this and other pieces of mischief, 
we found that the campus contained too many watchmen to 
allow the building of our fire unmolested, We noticed that 
at nine o'clock the watchmen were occupied with the task of 
ringing the bell — at least, one of them held the lamp for 
another to see to pull the rope in the belfrey, and the third 
looked on to see that everything was done properly ; thus, in 
the distribution of labor, they left the campus free. That, 
therefore, was the hour chosen by us to have our illumination. 

A few days before the one agreed upon to have our fire 
we were occupied in collecting fuel. We bought enough 
coal-oil to set a house on fire, and with this we saturated the 
boxes and barrels which we had collected. 

On the appointed evening we met together at half-past 
eight, behind a fence which then stood between Clio and 
Whig Halls. Each man had brought his contributions, which 
made the atmosphere heavy with the 'perfumes of coal-oil. 
Two of the party, "Sleepy" and "General," were chosen 
as guards, to give the alarm if any of the watchmen should 
by accident approach us. All was settled by five minutes of 
nine, at which time the fellows with their fuel passed over 
the fence to be ready for the advance as nine o'clock struck. 
As the first stroke of the ninth hour pealed forth from the 
old clock in " North," we gathered up our boxes and barrels 
and started across the campus for the cannon. On our way, 
"Babe" Montgomery stepped into a hole and rolled head- 



4^ 

foremost over his barrel. Tommy Bradford was close behind 
him, and not seeing the mishap of " Babe," he also put his 
foot in the same hole, and in his attempt to keep himself 
from falling he stumbled over " Babe," who was by this time 
picking himself up, and they both rolled over on the ground. 
The barrels coming together made a terrible noise. Fortu- 
nately, at this point the bell began to ring, and drowned all 
noises made by us. Each man placed his contribution around 
the cannon. When the last box was placed on the pile we 
found that it was higher than our heads. When all was 
ready, " Pill " Gilder threw an extra bucket of oil upon this 
mass, which so permeated the pores of the wood that only 
one match was used in igniting it. The match was applied. 
Immediately the flames leaped high into the air, and by its 
light could be seen all the fellows running as fast as their legs 
could carry them, and yelling " Fire .'" at the top of their 
lungs, which was sufficiently loud to be heard above the 
clamor of the bell. The sight of the flames and the sound 
of the noise we made, awakened the watchmen to their sense 
of duty. They came rushing around the corner of North 
but, as usual, a little too late. " Mat" came leisurely out of 
his office, and after a few words of rebuke to the careless 
watchmen, he attempted to subdue the flames. His efforts 
were 'fruitless, for the mass had grown too warm to allow 
him to approach near it. At every fruitless attempt he made 
to " snatch some burning brand from the flames," the whole 
college, who by this time had turned out to see the fire, would 
rend the air with cheers and taunt him with jeering remarks 
such as " Spit on it !" " Blow it out !" &c. 

After some time the fire exhausted its fur}^ and as it grad- 
ually died out, the fellows, returning to their rooms, pro- 
nounced it the best fire that any class had had for years. 

Satisfied that we had shown the college we were able to do 
as much as any other Freshman class had done in this line, 
it became our ambition to surpass any efforts that had ever 
been made. To this end we entered upon a deeply-laid 



44 

scheme for building a fire on the top of North College. The 
work of collecting the materials had begun, and all necessary 
plans for making this project a successful one had been duly 
arranged. There is no doubt but that this would have been a 
grand success, and we certainly would liave " astonished the 
natives," had not an nnforeseen accident happened to some 
of the fellows, which compelled them to leave town for a 
sliorl while. Thus our plan fell through, for those in the 
pa,rty who remained in college did not have the heart or de- 
sire to carry the idea into effect. 



45 



CHAPTER VII. 

HAZING.- 

Discussions, like small streams, are first begno, 
Scarce seen they rise, but gather as they run.- Garth. 

The hisfcoricui of '80 has made a few remarks upon the 
subject of haziug whicli might appear in another light when 
viewed from anotlier standpoint, and we consider it our duty 
as members of the ckiss of '81 to view this subject from 
another position. 

He (the historian) admits that although the severity of 
hazing had almost entirely died away, still the practice had 
not by any means moderated. This we draw from the 
numerous accounts he gives of the occurrence of that prac- 
tice in his own class. 

Although the visits of the Sophs, to the members of our 
class were numerous, no murmur w^as made by us as long as 
they did nothing derogatory to the dignity of a gentleman, 
and although we were Freshmen, that was no reason why we 
were not to be treated like gentlemen. 

As the historian makes much of precedent, we will simply 
say that it has always been the custom in the annals of 
colleges to do all their hazing during the iirst term. 

As long as these restrictions were complied with nothing 
was said against the nocturnal visits of the Sophs, to our 

class. 

We had entered well upon our second term of college life, 
and considered that we had been duly initiated into the 
mystery of that life, when to our surprise we found that we 
were mistaken. 



46 

About the middle of February, our class one morning was 
startled by the news that on the night before " Isty " Lang 
had by some underhand means been decoyed into the clutches 
of the Sophs., and had been treated with indecency. 

He not only had complied with their requests when asked 
to give vent to his highly musical voice by putting forth in 
song, poems of the ancient masters, but he did this gladly ; 
when asked to whistle, he modestly remarked that he could 
not whistle as well as he could sing," but cheerfully gave 
them some lively tunes ; when music lost its charm to soothe 
the savage ear he showed the gracefulness of his movements 
by dancing a jig, and to show their ingratitude they put him 
through some performances that are entirely out of the line 
of hazing, and which — I will refrain from narrating. 

They ended the evening's entertainment by compelling 
" Isty " to sign a paper, not what is found in the history of 
'80, but somewhat different. This note was a slander upon 
the class of '81. These combined insults were too much for 
the high spirits of some of our classmen. We might have, 
through much exertion, been able to swallow these insults 
had not Carter and Atterbury taunted some of us with the 
sayings, " that they could haze an}" man in our class, and 
that there were none of us who would dare to mention it ;" 
" nor would we dare to resent this insult in any way." 

This was bad enough even from a man that had withstood 
the trials of Freshman year, but coming from a fresh Sopho- 
more, a man that was too timid to pass through the trials of 
the first year of the course, this was too much. So " Dinks," 
HuTCHiNGS, McDermont, Loney and another intended to ini- 
tiate Mr. Atterbury and prove the validity of his statements. 

"We intended to ask Ed. Mathews to join us, but found that 
he had joined another party who were contemplating the 
same expedition. After a few consultations, it was determined 
to join forces and haze Carter at the same time ; so Harry 
Mathews, Bradford, Bradley, Shaw and Flick, added to 
the six men previously mentioned, became the party. 



47 

Monday, February the 18th, was the night settled upon to 
haze these men. On that evening, after a lecture given by 
Dr. Otis, we made our advances in the form of a visit to the 
two " gallant SopJwmorcs" (?) We, however, only numbered 
ten men, as Landon was called from town that day, and we 
were deprived of his cool, deliberate and firm judgment. 

Masked, as is the custom in haziug, we ten, having pre- 
viously found means through which we would find Carter in 
Atterbury's room, advanced to the latter's door. On 
knocldug, it was opened by the occupant of the room, who, 
upon seeing the masked faces, showed his surprise at this 
unexpected visit (we say unexpected, for some one has said 
they knew of our proposed visit, and had accordingly loaded 
their pistols with blank cartridges or soap.) 

Upon entering the room, Atterbury was thrown upon the 
floor by Loney, and Carter was handled in the same way by 
Bradford. They, since our entrance, had kept up a terrible 
cry for " Help !" " Murder !" or whatever else that would 
be most Hkely to bring forth assistance ; but this noise we 
soon hushed by simply muffling the sounds with our hands. 
We loosely bound their hands with small cords in order to 
keep them from doing anything violent. We then produced 
a paper and read it to them. The following is a copy : 

" We, the two members of the party that insulted Lang, 
and forced him to sign a paper that contained insults against 
the class of '81, are sorry for what we have done, and do 
apologise for whatever else we have done against this class." 
We told them to place their names to the paper, but 
Atterbury declined, and Carter, fearing to sign it without 
its containing the former's signature, also declined. 

We threatened Carter with the extermination of the pride 
of his life {his loldslers) if he did not comply with our wish. 
We saw him grow pale, but still he refused. Accordingly, 
we began to reap the growth of years. 

Atterbury did not have even a growth of down upon his 
face, so we were compelled to administer, with a paddle of 



48 

slender white pine, not an allopathic dose, as has been said, 
but simply a stern reminder. This not having the desired 
effect, we cut from their heads some of its profuse growth 
of hair ; but this also failed to bring forth the signature, and 
fearing our "visit might become tiresome to the " demi-gods 
they felt themselves to be," we left them bound each to an end 
of the table, not gagged, as has been said. Atteebuky, 
promising not to make any sounds of alarm, we left unmufHed, 
but Carter refusing to make this promise, we simply covered 
his mouth with a handkerchief and, when this was done, bade 
them good evening. 

We had scarcely reached the ground floor when heavy 
thumps on the front door were heard, and from the upper 
part of the building we heard the report of two pistol shots, 
which showed that there was life in that quarter. We retired 
from the back door, and through the fields towards Cham- 
bers street, where we intended going to McDermont's room, 
but changed our minds and passed the house. 

We had not gone far, before two figures were seen behind 
us, and we soon saAv, by the light of the moon, that these 
were none other than our late hosts, who had recognized 
McDermont, and had been to his room to demand an apol- 
ogy, but of course had not found him at home. We, not 
wishing to be recognized by them, quickened our pace into 
a run, when we were surprised, startled and alarmed by 
hearing the reports of two pistol shots, and at almost the 
same time two bullets were heard to pass some of our heads 
too close for convenience (but these pistols it is said were 
loaded with blank cartridges). When we reached the corner 
by the University Hotel, one of the party, whose name I 
will not mention, and only one, who happened that evening 
to have been through a lonely road, had a pistol with him, 
and for the safety of himself and friends returned the fire. 
The second of his shots struck Atterbuey. We had not 
coivardly armed ourselves for that evening, but by accident 
one of the party happened to be armed. 



49 

We then retired to Bradley's room, on the top floor of 
Witherspoon, where, with shaded light, we talked over the 
possibility of Atteebury's beiog seriously hurt. On our way 
to Witherspoon, however, we, by the light of the moon, were 
recognized by some of the members of the faculty, who, on 
hearing the reports of the pistols, had rushed to their win- 
dows to see if they could learn the cause. 

The next day the campus was all excitement. Men hur- 
ried to and fro, told each other in a whisper of the night's 
proceedings, and then passed on. Sophomores scowled and 
turned pale with anger, but the Freshmen chuckled with 
delight. 

Thiugs, by evening, had taken a more serious aspect than 
we had anticipated when we entered upon this project. It 
was reported that the town authorities were after the parties 
who did the shooting, and that the faculty had determined 
to do everything to find out the men implicated. 

The teif concerned, thought it best to have some unity of 
action, and fearing if we met together in any of our rooms 
it might be the means of revealing to some lurking spy the 
party in question, we agreed, when night set in, to meet 
on the bridge near the Prep, and discuss our future move- 
ments. * 

There, by a rippling stream, under the broad canopy of 
heaven, and in the light of the silver moon, we held our 
meeting. 

After some discussion, it was determined to acknowledge 
everything, if questioned by the faculty, and take the conse- 
quences. 

We had just returned home, when one of the party re- 
ceived a formal summons to appear before the faculty, 
which he immediately complied with, and answered, in as 
accurate a manner as was within his power, all questions'put 
to him. 

On his return to the room, where the fellows were anxiously 
awaiting his arrival, he told them some of the questions and 



50 

answers he had received and given. Then he said," There 
was one of them, who was very large, had big feet, and was 
very deliberate in his conversation, whose name I do not 
know — he tried to make me lie, but could not." 

Portly Professor. — " Had you any implements of tor- 
ture ?" 

Freshman. — " That depends, Sir, upoD what you call an 
implement of torture. Would you call a paddle an imple- 
ment of torture ?" 

Professor. — " I certainly should." 

Freshman. — " Then, Sir, we certainly had." 

Professor. — " What were the character and dimensions of 
this paddle, and had it any spikes in it ?" 

The minute details as to the shape, size and material of 
the paddle were given by the Freshman, who closed his 
answer with the fact that this implement of torture con- 
tained nothing that even resembled spikes, nor did it have 
holes in it. 

After a few more such questions, the worthy Professor 
stated the fact that the answers had been satisfactory, as he 
had seen the paddle himself. 

After uarrating a few more of the incidents of the cross- 
examination, it was determined that seven of the ten should 
remain together in one room that night, as we heard the 
Sophomores intended to give us a "surprise party," and we 
knew it would be more sociable if we all received together. 
We, however, were disappointed, for they overlooked us and 
paid their respects to Judge Strong, who, however, had a 
canine friend acting as porter, and who behaved so rudely to 
them in his sullen bull-dog manner that they concluded not 
to stay that evening, but would call some other evening. 
Good evening ! 

Th5 next morning we were officially informed that the 
faculty had determined to suspend us indefinitely, and we 
must leave town before the next morning. We, however, 
were informed that afternoon that the civil authorities wer© 



51 

after us, and that we had better leave town as quietly as 
possible. 

This we did. AVith scarcely time to take a collar or a pair 
of cuffs, we started off for the Junction in twos, threes, or 
alone. When finally we arrived at the Junction, a telegram 
was received by Shaw, which stated that the whole of the 
Soph, class was coming down after us. This was anything but 
pleasant news. We had but little time to make up our minds 
as to the best plan of action. It was wonderful how many 
plans were proposed and discussed in so short a space of 
time. Shaw wanted to run to Trenton — a distance of only 
ten miles ; Flick wanted to take to the woods ; but these 
plans were all squelched. The majority agreed to get clubs 
and stand our ground. This we did, and in this attitude of 
defence we were found when the train from Princeton came 
thundering up, puffing under the load of Sophomores which 
it brought. 

On they came, about eighty-five in number, and firmly we 
stood, determined to hold our position until our train came 
in. But " Mat " came to our assistance, and hustled us into 
one corner of the waitiug-room, while he kept guard at the 
door until the train for Philadelphia arrived. So loud was 
the yell of the Sophs, that the whistle of the train could 
scarcely be heard. 

" Mat " with his club an opening made, and through this 
howling body of Sophs, we passed. It has been stated that 
nothing was thrown at us, at the station. This is a mistake, for 
the writer for one has the feeling recollection of having been 
hit in the back of the head by some missile. We, however, 
reached the train Avithout any broken limbs, and when the 
train moved off' we sat down with more ease than we had 
experienced for some time. 

Flick stretched out his feet (which, I must say, are quite 
large) and struck something, he knew not what, when, much 
to his surprise, he saw a human head appear from under the 
seat : then came a white cravat. The wearer of this article 



62 

asked in a trembling voice, " Is it all over?" " Is wliat all 
over?" asked Flick. " I mean," said the minister (for such 
was his profession), "is there any danger now? Have we 
passed Princeton ?" " Oh, ves," said Flick, " you can come 
out now with safety." The minister came from his hiding- 
place and sat in the seat by Flick, but all the while kept one 
eye on him. 

When we arrived in Trenton, a boy came in the cars, 
making quite a noise calling out "Nice hot oysters T We each 
bought a box to appease the gnawings of hunger, but when 
we stuck our teeth into them we found them not only taste- 
less but stone cold. We asked the boy why he called them 
hot oysters, and he blandly answered, " Because that was the 
name of them." With one accord we fired the ten boxes, 
with their oysters, at his head. This was too much for 
Flick's friend, the minister, who immediately left the train. 

Nothing more of interest happened until we arrived in 
Philadelphia, where we remained for the night. 

What was our consternation the nest morning when we 
saw our names in full in all the papers, and heard on every 
corner the newsboy cry, " Terrible Bloodshed in Princeton !" 
" Open Eiot at Princeton !" Others also rent the air with the 
words, " Full account of the Eowdyism at Princeton !" and 
many other such headings that appeared in the papers. 

This proved an elegant opportunity for the reporters to 
put before the public their ideas as to what should be done 
with young nien and how they should be treated, and for 
weeks afterwards they would boil over and write something 
concerning the affair. But to Princeton it has proved of 
valuable importance. It gained two ends where only one 
was intended. We were brought prominently before the 
public and made Princeton more famous, and also it put a 
stop to all hazing, for no cases have been heard of since that 
memorable evening. 



53 



CHAPTER YIII. 

FOOT BALL. 

Our record in foot ball is oue that any college might be 
proud to claim . During the four years of our course, Prince- 
ton has not lost a game, and our class has done its share 
towards making the oraivje and black flutter triumphantly on 
its many fields of victory. 

In Freshman year, Loney and Bradford were chosen on 
the University team, and two others of our class acted as 
substitutes. 

The numbers of our class on the team increased each year, 
and made the University more able to hold her head above 
all other colleges in this sport. In Sophomore year, Frank 
Loney made the only point we scored agaiust Harvard, and 
one of his plays against Yale that year was the means of 
gaining us the College championship, which with clear- 
headed and dexterous playing we have been able to retain 
ever since. Under the captainship of Frank Loney, this 
year, we resisted successfully the efforts of the strongest 
team Yale has had in the field for many years, to take the 
championship from us. 

Not only has our class showed to such good advantage on 
the University, but its own team has won for Princeton lau- 
rels of which they may well be proud. 

Our team had a series of captains. "John Bull " was first 
elected to that position, because he was an Englishman and 
of course knew all about the game, He believed in training 
the men hard. After our first day's practice, he started off 
at the head of the team at a brisk run, announcing before- 
hand that he intended to run to the " Prep." and back. 
The fellows began at Jugtown to give out, and by the time 



54 

"John" got to the " Prep." Dave Eickets was the only one 
of this team that had survived. The fellows sat down on the 
curb-stone all along the road in order to regain their strength 
so that they could return home with the team. This run 
used the fellows up to such an estent that many of them 
stopped playing because they objected to being killed while 
training. Because the fellows would not train, " John " took 
offence and resigned. 

Crosby, who had been chosen as one of the substitutes on 
the University team, was elected by our class to fill the 
vacancy caused by the resignation of " John Bull." 

Under the more moderate system of training of our second 
captain the fellows developed considerable skill and pluck in 
playing. We gained so much confidence in our own ability 
as foot-ball players, that we challenged the P. L. S. team of 
New York to play us on the 10th of November, on our 
grounds. Much to our delight, a few days after our chal- 
lenge was sent, we received an acceptance. 

The team worked hard, and looked with anxious expecta- 
tion towards the day when they should appear for the first 
time on the foot-ball field to play a match game. 

The memorable tenth at last came, as did the P. L. S. team, 
but unfortunately a stormy spell of weather had arrived a few 
days before, and the rain continued to fall in sheets. The 
consequence was that the grounds were not in a very good 
condition to play on. As the opposing team had put in an 
appearance, there was no alternative left us. At the appointed 
time the two teams made their appearance on the grounds, 
and after only a few moments' delay every man was in his 
position. Our team presented a comical appearance. No 
two men wore the same kind of a costume. Tommy had on 
a pair of old pants that have since become very familiar to 
us, one or two of the fellows wore knee-pants, and most of 
them had on slouch hats of all descriptions and colors. The 
canvas jackets which they wore were none the better off for 
long usage and few washings. 



55 

The ball was set in motion by Crosby, and after it had 
been kicked a few times from one side of the field to the other, 
it came to Tommy, who tucked the leather under his arm and 
started down the field. He had not gone far when he was 
" tackled" ferociously by one of the P. L. S. " rushers," when 
Tommy tried his trick of ducking down and letting the oppo- 
nent fall over his head, but unfortunately the P. L. S. sat 
down on Tommy's head, mashing it into the mud. When he 
succeeded in extricating his buried member out of the soft 
mud, his whole face was smeared, his eyes and mouth full of 
mud, and his whole body streaked and spattered with dirt. 
He was the first one who had fallen, but before the game was 
ended the same fate had happened to each of us, and we all 
looked alike ; notwithstanding the varied costumes we started 
the game in, Ave all left the field with a muddy hroivn hue. 

On account of the difficulty we foand in running on this 
slippery surface, we only made a score of two goals and five 
touchdowns. 

After we hud scraped off the dirt and changed our foot- 
ball costume for a more cleanly suit, we gathered around the 
festive board and had a social meal together. During the 
repast each team complimented the other on the many fine 
plays they made. We received their congratulations with 
smiles, because we were perfectly satisfied with the score 
under the circumstances, and felt much encouraged with our 
playing, for the P. L. S. had won for themselves in New York, 
the name of being fine players. 

They returned to New York that evening, and we, 
fatigued and sore from the day's exertions, retired early, to 
dream of victories on the foot-ball field. We know this was the 
subject of some of the dreams, because Ed. Mathews kicked 
Harry out of bed while dreaming that he was kicking the 
ball. 

Soon after this game a sad accident happened to Crosby. 
While we were practicing, back of Keunion, some man acci- 
dentally kicked him in the back of the head, while the latter 



56 

in a " tacMe" was thrown upon the ground. So violent was 
this blow that Crosby lay for some time motionless upon the 
ground. Stimulants had no effect upon him, and by the time 
medical assistance was obtained he showed some signs of 
delirium. He was carried to his room, where for many days he 
lay tossing in wild unconsciousness. The doctor entertained 
serious apprehensions that Ckosby's symptoms might prove 
to be congestion of the brain. He fortunately, after a pro- 
longed illness, recovered, but his health was so much impaired 
that he was compelled to leave college. 

Another member of the team was elected to fill his place. 
Under the new captain, challenges were sent to Yale and 
Harvard Freshmen. They, however, were not able to play 
us. Arrangements were made to play the customary game 
with Lawrenceville. The day agreed upon by both parties 
was the 21st of November, and to be played on their grounds. 

This game proved the hardest and most exciting one that 
our class team ever played. The teachers of the school made 
up a very strong portion of their team. They played a much 
rougher game than we had anticipated, and at first we did 
not know exactly how to treat them. 

The game had just started, and the ball had not long been 
put in motion, when " Judge " Strong, in making a desperate 
" tackle," ran his nose violently against his opponent's arm. 
The "Judge's" injured member bled profusely for a short 
time, long enough to compel him to stop playing. He was 
led, bleeding, from the field, and his position filled by the 
first substitute. The ball was soon put in motion again, and 
was followed closely as it was kicked from one side of the 
field to the other. Our team, urged on by the captain, worked 
hard to score something in the first half. We struggled in 
this way until within two minutes of the end of the first half. 
At this period McDermont seized the ball, which was well 
down by our goal, and made a beautiful run beyond the 
middle of the field. Here he was " tackled," but passed the 
ball to LoNEY, who started down the :6eld at the top of his 



57 

speed. The first mau that attempted to stop him only suc- 
ceeded in retaining the sleeve of his jacket ; the next man 
also fell short of his mark and got his hand in the neck of 
Loney's shirt, but this gave way and was torn from his back, 
thus leaving him with only a thin undershirt to cover his 
body, but still he ran on, and the ball was fast approaching 
their goal line. There was but one more man to pass, while 
at Loney's heels both teams came bolging down. The goal- 
keeper, Avlien he saw the fruitless attempts of the other men 
of his team in trying to stop Loney, planted his feet more 
steadily and made one desperate effort. It was too late ; 
Loney bore him behind the goal-posts and touched the ball 
down. We did not have time to try for a goal, for time was 
almost immediately called. We thus scored our first touch- 
down, but in the struggle Loney had lost two shirts,whicli were 
i-eplaced by others during the intermission. Daring the second 
half of the game we scored another touchdown, but Tommy 
Cauldwell failed to kick a goal from it. This game was the 
last one our ream played in Freshman year. We had a good 
record ; had beaten every game we played, and had not had 
anything scored on us. 

The men that played most on the team, and Avho had their 
pictures taken to represent '81 in this sport, Avere Bkadish, 
Beadford, Beown, Cauldwell, Fare, Landon, Loney, Mc- 
A.LriN, McDermont, Monroe, Ed. Mathews, Rickets, A. 
Scriener, and Strong. 

When we returned to College Sophomore year, the captain 
who had succeeded Crosby resigned his position, and Landon 
was elected in his place, thus making the fourth captain we 
had had in just one year. Landon arranged a game with the 
Columbia Sophomores, to be played in Hoboken on the 
Saturday after Thanksgiving. 

The day was clear, and the fellows were in good condition 
and spirits. After a short delay the fellows took their posi- 
tions. Our team consisted of the following eleven men : 
The rushers were Landon (captain), Bradford, McDermont, 



58 

McAlpin, Egberts, and A. Scribner ; the half backs werei 
Farr, Allen, and Loney, while the two backs were Cauld- 
WELL and LowRiE. At about half-past two the captain of the 
Columbia team kicked off the ball, and it did not take long for 
us to see that Columbia had determined to play entirely on 
the defensive. It took Landon just fourteen minutes to make 
the first touchdown, from which Cauldwell kicked a goal. 
From this instant it was only a question of time as to how 
large a score we would make. A few minutes alter the ball 
had been kicked off Frank Allen got hold of it, and ran the 
whole length of the field, warding off men, and finally crossed 
the goal line, and made the second touchdown. The third 
was also made by him, and in four minutes after the ball was 
brought out Loney made the fourth touchdown, but not be- 
fore he had accidentally been hit in the mouth, which caused 
a profuse flow of blood. Just at the end of the first half of 
the game another touchdown was made, but was not allowed. 
Soon after we had started the second half of the game, 
" Tommy " got hold of the ball and started down the field ; 
although a number of the Columbia team called out to each 
other to stop him, still none of them succeeded in doing so 
until just before he reached the goal line, when he was des- 
perately " tackled " by one of their hacks. " Tommy," how- 
ever passed the ball to Frank Loney, who ran in and touched 
it down. In four minutes after the ball was put in play 
again Landon secured another touchdown. About this time 
" Powers " hurt himself, and Greer Monroe was put on in 
his place. In a short while, after Landon made his touch- 
down, Scribner made another, which was followed in quick 
succession by two other touchdowns by another member of 
the team. 

Columbia was perfectly demoralized (as they well might 
have been), and Avhen the game was ended the score stood 
six goals and ten touchdoAvns to nothing ; this being the 
largest score up to that date that had ever been made in a 
match game. This overwhelming victory closed the series of 
games played by our class in foot ball. 



59 



CHAPTEE IX. 

CLASS MEETINGS. 

Many are the pleasant features of a college class meeting ; 
many the causes for which they are called, and varied the 
ideas put forth in them. The flash of wit and sparkling re- 
partee have often made hours that would have proved dull 
and heavy pass most pleasantly, and prove the most enjoy- 
able in our course. To mention the meetings called for boat- 
ing, base ball, and foot ball, would be useless, and a waste of 
time . A few of our gatherings, however, deserve a notice in 
this liistor}-. 

On the 22d of September, 1877, our first meeting was 
called for the election of officers. After many nominations 
we succeeded in electing a man to each of the offices on re- 
cord ; when this was done, and there seemed to be nothing 
to prevent us from adjourning, Mike 0'Ria.n rose and said — 
" Mr, President ! It is now in order to transact business." 
All eyes were turned upon the speaker. He was a man short 
in statue, thickly built, and having the appearance of being 
a descendant of Ireland. To us he appeared well advanced 
in years ; we therefore sat in silence, listening to what wise 
counsel he would give us. 

After a prelude, he informed the president that a committee 
should be appointed to draw up a constitution for the class. 
If we did not have one, said he, everything we would do will 
be illegal, and therefore we could not do anything. 

We had heard enough, and set up an unearthly howl, 
which so bewildered this worthy gentleman that he sat doAvn. 
He was squelched : this is the only time on record that Mike 
O'EiAN was ever quieted. 

The second meeting of importance was held the 8th of 
January, 1879. This was called to discuss the feasibility of 



60 

having a " Sophomore Reception. " Much opposition was 
expected from those who wanted a class supper, or even the 
old burial which had been the exercise with which many 
Sophomore years had been brought to a triumphant close. 

Before the meeting was called, a number who were in favor 
of the " deception" <;athered together. After a little dis- 
cussion eight or nine men were appointed to get up in suc- 
cession in different parts of the room, and speak in favor of 
the motion. This scheme worked beautifully, all nine men 
spoke without any interruption except applause. One speech 
was made against it. The motion, that we would have a re- 
ception, was then put, and carried by a large majority. 

Without further delay the committee for arrangements was 
elected, and the meeting adjourned. 

Another occasion of much importance was that protracted 
meeting held for the election of " Peincetonian" and " Lit " 
editors. 

Daring this meeting much talking was done, all the argu- 
mentative force of the class was brought to bear. The men 
who are to be eminent in the future made themselves conspi- 
cuous on this occasion. " Bonner " Skinner (for instance) 
made several eloquent and enthusiastic orations ; after speak- 
ing several times, he rose again to harangue the audience. 
Some one objected to his speaking so often, whereupon 
" Bonner " asked permission of the house to speak again, 
and went on to say in his modest manner, that he had 
nothing of importance to say, but — at this point " Dufe " 
jumped up and said, " If the gentleman has nothing of im- 
portance to say, I move he let some one else speak." Bonner 
was sat tipon, just because he was a little modest. He learned 
from this occasion that modesty was not his method, and has 
not been troubled in that way since. 

The important meeting held for the election of class day 
offices proved to be an occasion that will long be remem- 
bered by the members of '81 with satisfaction aod mirth - 
fulness. The " wire pulling " that has been the character- 



61 

istic of many previous class-day elections was entirely 
omitted by us. Three of the most important offices were 
elected unanimously, aud little rivalry was found in the 
petty offices, but when the nomination for class-day com- 
mittee was in order, nearly every man in the class rose 
simultaneously to nominate a friend. They by degrees 
crowded around the chairman's desk, and stood there until 
they, in their turn, had been recognized by him. The num- 
ber of nominations for this committee exceeded fifty. When 
quiet was restored the balloting began and continued until 
we adjourned for dinner ; at three o'clock the balloting was 
reopened. 

The time spent in counting the votes had become tiresome, 
the difi'erent characteristics of the men were shown in the 
amusements they sought to pass away the time. Dix sat 
reading a novel ; Yan Allen, Dick Harland, Kimble, Craven 
and DoDD were playing a game of " draw poker." McCunn 
and " Duff " were poaling the new base ball rules ; Van- 
deburCtH was poaling his lesson in " Dadd " for the next day. 
Thus all were occupied, but seemed weary. Suddenly Dave 
Wills arose and made the welcome announcement that a 
member of our class would restore our drooping minds with 
refreshing music. 

Often the choicest talents are hidden beneath the veil of 
modesty, and when this mantle is withdrawn by the hand of 
chance, we have revealed to us a gem of the first water. 

This meeting revealed to us a talent Avhich had been hid- 
den for more than three 3'ears. Oh ! lucky meeting ! had 
it never been held, the world would have missed a songster 
and we a treat. 

Dave Wills, who had often heard the sweet strains of 
" Mother Orr's " voice, penetrating the stone partition that 
separated their rooms, prevailed upon " Mother " to give vent 
to some of his high, full, sweet notes in original music, and 
it was for this purpose that he now asked the attention of 
the class. He said, in his neat little introductory speech, 



62 

that he knew we would find in these songs some of the sweet- 
est notes ever sounded by man (for " Mother Orr " is known 
to be a man). 

The first piece started : 

" I'm a gay trall-a-la, 
I'm a gay trall-a-lu," &c. 

The music original of course. He reminded us more of 
th-e pictures seen of ancient bards, pouring forth their souls 
in sweet music at the foot-stool of some haughty queen, than 
anything it had ever been our good fortune to have seen 
before. The expression of his face, was enough to have in- 
spired anyone. His eyebrows elevated, his eyes upraised 
spoke pleading words of sweetness . The expression about 
the mouth was something grand, his lips quivered with emo- 
tion, At times he entered so deeply into the feeling of the 
song that the rosy tint which mantled his velvety cheek would 
die away into an ashy pallor. 

When the echoes of his last silvery note was no longer 
audible, we broke the stillness with appreciative applause. 
So ardent and lengthened was this request for a repetition of 
his musical talent, that with blushes and bows of modesty 
he rose and announced that the next song would also be 
a sad, sweet strain, put to music by himself. He was afraid 
(said he) that he could not do it justice, for his cold was so 
bad he could not strike some of its highest notes clearly. It 
was to be sung in a falsetto voice. He got through his song 
without much detriment to his hald spot or his nose, and re- 
ceived hearty applause for his trouble and exertion. He 
gained more confidence in his abilities, so much, in fact, that 
he volunteered to deliver, " as it should be done," Poe's Bells. 
He mentioned, as a passing remark, that he would have to 
fill in parts as he went along, because his memory failed 
him. 

After he had ended a successful rendering of this piece 
our attention was drawn to the results of the voting, and we 
left for the present, the hard, poet, and orator, all in one. 



63 
CHAPTER X. 

JUNIOR YEAR- 

The year which is usually the period of luxury, ease and 
mirth, was in our course peculiarly sad and uneventful. It 
was begun under sad auspices and ended with the same. 

One of the most appreciable events of the fiist term of this 
year was the inability of Prof. Bracken to give us an examin- 
ation in that light subject. Physics, and that portion espec- 
ially was dreaded which was so thoroughly touched upon by 
"CuMMiNGS." This he announced to us at the end of the last 
recitation for the first term. At this joyous news the fellows 
flew down stairs j'elling at the top of their voices, many 
went through touching scenes of congratulation, as a means 
of expressing the joy they felt on this occasion. 

During the first and second term a few spreads were given 
by the most generous of the class. The givers were prompted 
to these feasts by different desires and motives. The new- 
comers thought this a good way to become acquainted with, 
and pick from them, men with whom they were to associate 
for the next two years, any who might happen to show their 
blue blood at the feast. Others intended the banquet as a 
peace-maker and to clear up old scores, for they believed in 
the saying that a man's heart is touched through his stomach. 
Others, however, gave their spreads with no other avowed in- 
tention than to have a good time. No matter what the 
motive was that prompted each giver to such acts of gene- 
rosity, they all proved enjoyable affairs. 

Not having space to describe all, and not wishing to de- 
tract from the grandeur of any, your historian feels a delicacy 
in selecting for description the one that might suit his esthe- 
tic nature, but has deemed it improper to allow the following 
to pass without notice. 



64: 

Pliny Fisk one afternoon came around to a few of his 
friends and told them in his confidential way that he was 
going to have a little spread in his room that evening, and 
after assuring them of the informality of the occasion, asked 
them to come about half-past eight. 

Promptly at the appointed hour, the fellows who previously 
had been asked entered Pliny's room, and expected to see 
the table decorated with handsome china, but much to their 
surprise they saw something resembling a bowl, which stood 
alone upon the table, and was neatly covered with a towel. 
Paul Yan Dyke thought it was a punch bowl, and told Pliny 
in a whisper that he never drank before the fellows, and es- 
pecially the crowd that was in the room, but just to save 
him some and he would come in when the fellows were not 
there. This request made Pliny fear that the fellows ex- 
pected too much, therefore he said : " Fellows ! I have not 
much to offer you, but I guess what there is of it is pretty 
strong." " Yes," whispered Paul, " I like it strong ; " and 
then he gave Pliny a meaning wink. At this instant the 
towel was withdrawn, and much to the horror of the as- 
sembled body, they saw a very familiar piece of china. Pliny 
asked the fellows to pitch in and not be bashful, and said the 
contents of the bowl was a new kind of cheese called a 
potifall cheese, he said it was recommended very highly. 
He finally announced that he had some crackers and water 
to go with it if any of the fellows wanted any. All the time 
that he had been talking he was working away at the cheese 
with his knife. No one made answer to his kind invitation. 
Paul's chin had dropped as soon as the towel was lifted and 
now his face was darkened by the deepest shades of disap- 
pointment. 

Beuce had not eaten any supper that evening in order that 
he might do justice to Pliny's spread, and now he did not 
relish the idea of the alternative left him, which was to fast 
until morning, or feast on this potifuU cheese. He finally 
took a handful of crackers with a small pinch of chesse. The 



65 

rest of the fellows, by degrees, followed Bruce's example, 
but it did not take long to satisfy them, and by half-past nine 
the door closed behind the last visitor. 

At the end of a week Blydenburgh stook scraping the last 
few crumbs into his hand ; Pliny put on one of his dry grins 
and said : "That certainly was a success, eh, Blyden? My 
spread beat Phil Jackson's by five days." 

Another feast was held by Billy Bacot one evening 
towards the end of the second term in this year. A chosen 
few, alone, were invited to this liquid spread, and among this 
number Craven could be seen. After the fellows had all 
arrived Billy brought in a large bowl of punch which he had 
previously prepared, and much to the surprise of all present 
Craven accepted a bumper when offered him and drained the 
mug without changing a muscle of his face, after storing away 
three or four glasses of punch and smoking a package of 
cigarettes he asked for another glass of " raspberry sauce." 
His face grew red with blushes and his head hung upon his 
breast with shame when he found that he had been drinking 
real punch, while he thought that it was nothing but " rasp- 
berry sauce." Soon after Craven learnt, what a mistake he 
had made, he took his departure and as the punch was all 
gone, the other guests soon followed his example. Finally 
Billy was left alone with but one guest. They were both 
drowsy (because it was late), but Billy was not too sleepy 
to make a pun or two which he took note of for his depart- 
ment of the " Lit." Finally some fellow called out in an 
agonized tone of voice : "Hello, Porter," immediately 
Billy's face brightened, and after an audible smile he made 
the following play on Porter's name : " That fellow must be 
sick and is crying for some sort of stimulus. I can't hear the 
sound of his voice, I would like to know what ails him." 
Billy's drowsy friend made no signs of recognition, but 
Billy continued : " It makes me tired to see such sparkling 
effervescence of sham-pain escape without meeting with a 
more cordial welcome." This was too much for the visitor 
who suddenly disappeared from the room. 



66 

In the middle of the second term as we approached the 
end of our course in logic, Dad announced to us that his ex- 
amination, which had formerly taken place in the mid term 
had been postponed by the faculty until the end of the term. 
This news was as grievous to us as the announcement of the 
omission of the examination in physics in the first term had 
been pleasing. Most of the fellows were anxious to get 
through with it while the subject was clear in their minds, 
and a petition was sent to the faculty requesting them to 
allow us to have the examination at the customary time. 
This petition was granted and the examination passed, but 
the spree which usually follows the final in logic was omitted. 
Because the faculty had granted our request, not even 
Chaeley E/YLE and his noisy gang made as much fuss on the 
evening which followed the examination as was their custom 
at other times. 

This 3'ear was brought to an untimely close by the ap- 
pearance of malarial fever, which proved so fatal in some 
cases. On account of this fever no junior finals were even 
passed by us. 



67 



IN MEMORIA. 

" As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive again." 

A few days after our return to College, in junior year, the 
veil of sadness was cast upon all the members of the class of 
'81 by hearing of the death of Keuben Lowuie. His abilities 
in gaining scholastic honors had won for him our highest 
respect and the success which he had gained in athletic 
sports had added our unbounded admiration to the other 
features of highest love. His death was deeply felt by every 
member of the class, and we grieved his loss with heart felt 
sadness. 

The following resolutions were drawn up by the class and 
hall to which he belonged : 

Princeton, Sept. 11, 1879. 

Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in His infinite wis- 
dom to take unto Himself our beloved classmate and brother 
Reuben Lowrie ; and 

Whereas, In his death the class of 1881, feel the loss of our 
honored and esteemed member ; therefore 

Resolved, That we, his classmates, extend to his afflicted 
family our sineerest sympathy in this our common bereav- 
ment ; 

Resolved, That the members of the class wear a badge of 
mourning for thirty days ; and 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to his 
family and be inserted in the Prineeton Press, Nassau Literary 
31agazine and the Prlneeionian. 

In behalf of the class. 

H. J. Duffield, 
John L. Kirk, 
J. O. H. Pitney, 

Committee. 

Hall of the American Whig Society, 
Sept. 12, 1879. 
Whereas, It has pleased God in His all-wise providence to 
move from our number Reuben Lowrie, of the class of 1881 ; 
therefore, 



68 

Resolved, That, although, the American Whig Society is 
truely sensible of the loss of a worthy and beloved member, 
we recognize in this event the will of One who doeth all 
things well. 

Resolved, That our heartfelt sympathy is tended to the be- 
reaved mother and friends, for their loss we can ourselves 
appreciate. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the 
family, and also be published in the Nassau Literary Mag- 
azine and the Princetonian. 

E. D. Harland, 
T. D. Wareen, 

Committee. 

During the fever which sadly closed our junior year, our 
much loved classmate, Irwin B, Schultz, whs struck down. 
During his illness he showed a true Christian spirit, was sub-" 
missive to the will of an all-wise Providence, was thought- 
ful of the feelings of others and considerate in all things 
After a prolonged illness, his doctor one morning found that 
he could not recover, and cautiously imparted this sad news 
to him. He did not appear unaware of his condition, but in 
his weak, trembling voice murmured a few appropriate 
prayers, and peacefully his spirit passed away ; no struggle 
disturbed his last moments ; no pangs of conscience made 
him afraid to die, but so quietly did he draw his last breath 
that no one knew when it came. This was a fit ending for as 
true a follower of Christ, as he in all his actions had shown 
himself to be. 

The following resolutions indicative of the grief felt through- 
out College caused by his death were drawn up by the class 
and hall of which he was member : 

Princeton, Sept. 15, 1880. 

Whereas, It has pleased God, who doth all things well, to 
take home our much loved classmate, Irwin B, Schultz ; 
therefore be it 

Resolved, That the three years of our fellowship have 
taught us to feel how feebly resolutions of this nature can 
express our sorrow, when we mourn one whose generous 
heart, sunny spirit and Christian character have endeared 
him to each of us, and whose shining talents gave promise of 
such noble manhood. 



69 

Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our heart 
felt sympathy in their deep affliction. 

Resolved, That in token of this our loss, we wear a badge 
of mourning for thirty days, and that these resolutions be 
sent to the family, and be published in the Nassau Literary 
31a(jazine, the Frincelonian, and the Boijertmun Messenger. 
In behalf of the Class of '81. 

Chas. G. Titsworth, 
Chas. C. Kobbins, 
Wm. T. Vlymen, 
T. W. Cauldwell. 

Hall of the Cliosophic Society. 
Whereas, God has seen fit in His unerring Providence to 
remove, from our brotherhood, by death, Ibwin B, Schultz ; 
and 

Whereas, We feel in his death the loss of a sincere friend, 
a zealous advocate of all that he believed honorable and 
]ust, and one whom we all love and esteem because of his 
manly character ; be it 

Resolved, That we extend to his grief- stricken family our 
heartfelt sympathy in our common bereavement ; therefore 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to his 
family, and also be published in the Nassau Literary Maga- 
zine, and the P rincetonian . 

In behalf of the Society, 

Chas. C. Kobbins, 
Chas. C. Craven, 

Committee. 

Wednesday, the 26th of May, 1880, proved to be a sad day 
for our class. The cause of this sadness was the death of 
James P. Shaw, who by his own hand, during the delirium 
of fever, brought his young life to an untimely end . When 
the sad news of the accident reached the ears of the fel- 
lows, they were struck with horror and consternation, many 
wandered listlessly about the campus absorbed with their 
own meditations, others were seen gathered together in small 
groups, and here talked of the sad affair with subdued voices. 
Those who visited the room of the sad sceno felt extra pangs 
of sorrow when they saw the blood stained carpet. His d«ath 
was so sudden and unexpected that it brought vividly before 
the minds of many the shortness of life, and its unexpected 
end. 



70 

That truly was a sad and restless night for more than one, 
because death always seems more dreadful when we see a 
friend snatched from us by an accident than when they peace- 
fully pass away. All was done by our class that could in any 
way appease the bereaved mother ; but nothing could com- 
fort her. The next day after his death the heart broken 
motner followed the body of her only son to her western home* 
and his final resting place. 



71 



CHAPTER XI. 

A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 

In this article it has beea our endeavor to write only such 
things as happened, and whatever mention is made of the 
i'acult}' we wish it understood that nothing of a slighting 
nature is intended, but as historian we considered it our duty 
to record things as they happened and not as was most 
pleasing to the ear. The first thing noticed was Billy Ing- 
ham's visit to Phil Jackson's room, which was as follows : 

One day Billy Ingham picked up in Phil Jackson's room 
a well-worn catalogue, and while he glanced over its pages 
he noticed a mark after the name of each undergraduate. 

" Phil ! " said Billy, " what do all those marks mean ?'' 
" Oh," said Phil, as he took his feet from off the table where 
they had lately been resting, " those names with a dagger 
after them I call my visiting list ; those marked with a cross 
are men whom I only know to speak to on the street ; those 
followed by a straight mark shows I do not know them, but 
hope to make their acquaintance soon, and you may have 
noticed some with stars after their names, those Billy are 
men whom I have known, but do not recognize now ; you see 
they are very few in number." Here his voice assumed a 
very serious tone, and he said : '' Men who have held and 
expect to hold the offices I have, must know every one they 
can. I visit every evening." Here Billy broke in and said, 
" not that I ever expect to hold any offices, but how long do 
you generally stay in each fellow's room." Phil in a very 
condescending manner went on to say, that when he visited 
a fellow only once in a while, he generally staid until one or 
two o'clock in the morixiug, but in the rooms where he visited 
ofteuer, he did not stay quite so late. 



72 

"Billy !" said Phil, "I have some beautiful cravats I woulfl 
like to show you, would you not like to see them ?" and upon 
Billy expressing his willingness to see Phil's wardrobe, he 
was forthwith shown a whole drawerful of cravats, glittering 
with all the colors of the rainbow. Phil had no less than 
twenty blue cravats, and almost as many bright red, thirteen 
mixed, eight orange and black, he also had a few brown ones 
which he wanted Billy to take, for he said they were too 
tame for him and that he would never wear them, and as an 
extra inducement told Billy that they would be very becom- 
ing to his peculiar style of beauty. This made Billy a little 
angry, as he does not like to have his hair mentioned, and in 
a fretful manner he walked towards the stove ; he, however, 
found not the sign of a living coal in it, and turning to Phil 
he said : " Is it not a little cold in this room ? ' Phil said, 
" oh, no, it was not cold then, but he was sorry he had no fire 
if Billy was cold, and then he confidentially told him that 
he was "laying for a drawback," and whenever it became too 
cold in his room he went in to see Van, who always had a 
nice fire and was glad to see him at any time. Billy in ,a 
short while took his departure, but could not help thinking 
what a lucky fellow Phil was, so many friends, such an 
elegant collection of cravats, and " laj'ing for a drawback." 
There is a story told on the Governor, for the truth of 
which we cannot altogether vouch. It is as follows : One 
evening while the " Gov." sat thoughtfully looking into the 
fire, picturing in the dying embers the revelation of sciences 
unknown and worlds unseen by any but himself, or it may be 
that he thought of the day to come when he would be pro- 
claimed President of the United States, but whatever his 
thoughts were, he was disturbed from his meditation by a 
rap upon the door, which announced, at this time, the un- 
welcomed arrival of some visitor. Provoked at being dis- 
turbed, he in no pleasant mood'answered the rap and ushered 
in a classmate. No sooner had this visitor become well 
settled than he hurt the sensitive ear of the " Gov." by start- 



73 

ing some topic much lighter than the thoughts which lie had 
so lately been poudering over. He could not help showing 
his annoyance in his face, but his visitor heedlessly rambled 
on, and by way of making his remarks more impressive he 
used some mild swear words. At this instant the " Gov.' in 
his mild way, but with flushed face and flashing eye, said -. 
" Sir ! you will please not again pollute the air of my room 
with any such remarks." 

This had the desired effect, the visitor soon left. 

The following episode may show how that letter writing, 
when done in a hurry, often causes much embarrassment. 
DouGALL writes and receives a great many letters. One even- 
ing he was expecting a letter from a certain person, and ap- 
peared at the post-oflice at an early hour. His face beamed 
with smiles when he saw his name upon the slate, but when 
the letter was handed him he failed to recognize the hand- 
writing, he hurriedly opened the envelope, and with astonish- 
ment read thus : 

" My Dear Husband : I arrived here in safety this morning, 
and our dear halnj is perfectly well ; excuse shortness, am in 
great haste. Write soon to your loving Maggie." 

DouGALL was so dazed by the unexpected contents of the 
letter that he showed it to " Mother " Orr, and asked him 
what he had better do about the letter. " Mother " advised 
that if there was any mistake, he had better return it to the 
postmaster. This parental advice he immediately followed, 
and assured " Mother " that it was all a mistake ; it was too 
good to be smothered, and the next day Dougall received 
many congratulations and a rattle for the baby. 

This story was told by one of the following trio : 

McMundy, Bob Williams, and Flick strolled out one clear 
Sunday afternoon in the third term of Senior year, and 
while they were walking leisurely along, enjoying the beauties 
of Nature, their attention was attracted to a modest little 
building from which came the sweet strains of a Sunday- 
school in full blast. The three wanderers approached the 



74 

building and hung around the door for some time, looking for 
somebody. The superintendent came out and invi?ted them in 
and gave them each a class of small boys to instruct. On 
their way in Flick whispered to Bob that there might be a 
meeting of the teachers after Sunday-school, and that they 
would stay to it. 

They then wasted the hour set apart for instruction in the 
vain attempt to keep their scholars in order. At the end of 
this hour the superintendent called upon the teachers to give 
a text from the Bible on the fool. All had given their text 
but tlie three, their turn came next, and they were called upon 
in the following order : Bob Williams came first, and gave 
as his text: " Go thou sluggard inquire of the ants." The 
superintendent deemed a word of explanation necessary to 
show to the children that a sluggard was often a fool. 

Mc was nest called upon and said : " As the dog returneth 
to his vomit, so the fool to his folly." No explanation was 
necessary. 

Flick arose without being called upon and gave the fol- 
lowing as his text : " He that loves wine, women and song, 
will be a fool his whole life long." Then said it was from St. 
Matthew, twelfth chapter, and eleventh verse. 

They lingered about the door of the little building several 
Sundays alter this, but were never again invited in to teach. 

Dick Harlan, in Junior year, made a contract with a shoe- 
maker to have a pair of shoes built. The agreement was that 
they should be delivered in Princeton for a certain price. 
After the shoemaker had completed his task he found that 
he had lost money on them, and in order that he might save 
as much as possible, sent them by freight, and afterwards 
grumbled because he did not know that the canal ran so near 
to their place of destination. 

Many amusing incidents have happened in the recitation 
room during our course, and although they caused much 
mirth and noise at the time, would fall flat if repeated ; a 
few, however, might cause an audible smile when brought to 



75 

remembrance. Among these was the mistake made by "Van'* 
in Fresh Year about making a, flock of bees roost all night on 
a tree. The many attempts we made in "Cam "to make 
him get off his expectorating joke ; and many others could 
be mentioned. 

Prof. Cam. — Mr. Breckenridge, in honor of whom were 
the Olympic games celebrated ? 

Sleepy. — In honor of Olympus, sir. 

Recitation in Political Economy. 

Prop. Atwater. — Mr. Brown, if we had a heap of silver 
dollars what would we do with them ? 

Brown. — Set up a dollar store, sir. 

Prof. Murry. — Mr. McMundy, to what period does the 
Elizabethen period belong ? 

McMuNDY. — To the age of Elizabeth, sir. 

Prof. Rockwood's recitation. 

Now I don't want you all to make so much noise when you 
come into my room. Please close all books and put them 
under your seats. Mr. Frost, I will not have you marking 
on my benches, &c. 

Recitation in Professor Orris. 

One day Powers Farr had not behaved himself with the 
dignity becoming a man under this grave professor, and for 
his indecorum was ordered to appear after the recitation to 
answer for his misconduct. At the appointed time, Powers 
with drooping head received a long but valuable lecture, and 
after a word of timely warning, the Professor modulated his 
loud voice to a subdued tone and gently caught hold of Pow- 
ers' arm, and with an expressive look said : "my dear young 
friend do you know the devil has hold of you? "Powers 
could not restrain a smile at this startling piece of informa- 
tion, and immediately the Professor saw the mistake he had 
made but it was too late, he had said it and it was too good 
a grind to keep quiet, it had its rounds in the papers. 

One day while reciting in Logic, we were disturbed from 
our usual dignity and good behavior, under the worthy Pro- 



76 

lessor in that branch, by the procession of a circus passing in 
sight with much noise and parade. The fellows at first be- 
came a little restless but each moment grew more uneasy and 
heedless of the recitation. Finally the heedlessness became 
unbearable by this Professor, he rapped upon his desk with 
a pencil, tossed his head knowningly to one side and said in 
his deliberate manner : " Gentlemen, it behooves me to re- 
quest you to abstain from the frivolities of the passing show 
and sustain your academical serenity to ^oit that you will 
give me your undeviating attention 

By accident " Dads " joke about matter had crept into the 
printed notes, and so we knew when to expect it, we all 
agreed that when he got the joke off that no one would 
laugh and by so doing score one for our side. It so happened 
that he did not get to the joke until the end of the hour, 
then he said : " what's matter ? never mind, what's mind ? no 
matter," and bowed his head in token of dismissing the class; 
not a fellow smiled, and no one rose to go out. Dads expres- 
sion changed from a broad grin to one of surprise, and then 
he bowed again but we all sat like fixtures, he elevated his 
glasses to the top of his head, and scanned the front row, 
then made such a profound bow that his head almost touched 
his desk. The fellows could not maintain their feelings any 
longer and with a burst of laughter left the room. 

One warm day in Prof. Shields recitation, McMundy find- 
ing his seat to warm for comfort, pulled off his coat and sat 
down behind the benches, while he was deeply interested in 
the contents of a novel, some fellow got hold of Mc's coat 
and passed it around the class, when it was well out of his 
reach the Professor called upon him to recite, but Mc not 
being able to find his coat felt a delicasy in appearing in his 
shirt sleeves, he grew red with blushes at which the fellows 
began to snicker, Mc grew wild made all sorts of frantic ges- 
tures for the fellows to keep silent, the Professor called again 
and as he did not appear ordered him to leave the room, 
which was no sooner said than done. 



77 

Our instruction on the Bible during Senior year was very 
complete and instructive and no doubt did much good to 
some, it caused much embarrassment in many cases as the 
following incidences will show. 

Miex flunUng two or three fellows and telling Penn White- 
head to " come away," the doctor called on " Dinks." 

Dr. McCosh.— Now tell me, Mr. Landon, what trees are 
found in the garden of Eden. 

" Dinks." — The tree of life and ah— ah — 

Dr. McCosh.— Yes, speak out, sir, do not be bashful. 

Dinks.— (repeating) The tree of Life and the — 

Dr. McCosh.— And what sir ! speak out Mr. Landon ! I see 
you have lost your self-posession. 

Dinks. — (with a brighter expression) The tree of Life 
doctor and the tree of Death. 

Dr. McCosh.— No sir ! that will do to-day sir ! 

Mr. Small you need not laugh, your answers were not so 
good that you can afford to laugh. 

The next two or three men were chosen from the 
Scientifs, and Townsend fearing he would be called upon 
soon, thought it best to escape from the room. He quietly 
slipped from his seat, reached the door, and all but his coat 
tail had disappeared when the doctor caught sight of it. 
He could not recognize it, and said : " I do not know who 
you are, but its a mean thing, a sin. God knows who you 
are, and your absence will be recorded by Him. I'll not 
mark you." Townsend heard of the dreadful fate the doctor 
predicted, went in after recitation, and said : " Doctor did you 
mark me absent ?" The doctor said : " I did, sir ! and what's 
your name?" 



78 



SENIOR YEAR. 

On our return to college in the fall of this j'ear we were 
surprised at the improvements which had been made during 
such an eventful summer. We found the new curator busy 
in filling up the holes his predecessor had made. A few 
changes in the buildings were very noticeable, among which 
was Edwards Hall, and other necessary changes. Notwith- 
standing the sad occasion which caused an untimely close to 
Junior year, we began this year with but few of the old 
names missing on the roll call, and these vacancies were 
almost filled up by the new comers, among whom " Pennsyl- 
vania" and " Q" Barrett played quite a conspicuous part. 

The exercises and sports that make the first term pleasant 
were entered upon with the same vim and determination that 
has always been a Princeton characteristic. 

On the 20th of October the postponed " J. O," contest came 
off. Many ladies assembled to hear these speeches, and the 
fellows turned out in full force ; the walls of the church 
vibrated with the applause each speaker received on this occa- 
sion, lent some variety to the joy of Princeton at this season 
of the year. 

Shortly after the contest the respective political parties 
became excited over the approaching election. Each party 
was perfectly confident of success. Dave Haynes was the 
candidate of the Republican party for the presidency, and 
Dave Wills represented the Democrats for the same office. 

Drum corps were formed, and the companies who were 
equipped with torches and lanterns made night hideous and 
study out of the question. Stump speeches were made in 
large quantities, each party telling how the other would be 
defeated. Bobbins made himself memorable by telling 2ifunny 
bear story one evening while haranging an audiece of enthu- 



79 

siastic admirers. Dave Haynes on the same occasion added 
to his fame by telling of two cats that lived in neighboring 
yards ; the applause he received showed that the story was 
apropos and was well taken. Hillhouse, on another of these 
memorable occasions, won for himself the honor of being the 
funniest man in the class, which honorable title he has since 
held undisputed. Thus some men during this campaign 
gained for themselves a name which will never be forgotten 
as long as '81 has any survivors. 

Not long after the fellows got over the effects of the elec- 
tions, the first term examinations became the one absorbing 
topic, and the Democrat sat down in peaceful silence with the 
Kepublican to burn the midnight oil. 

Ou our return to college after our Christmas vacation we 
passed three weeks oi fast living. The earth was whitened 
by a heavy fall of snow, the hills wore their white caps 
majestically, and McCosh hill afforded much enjoy- 
ment to many who enjoyed coasting. Only a few refrained 
from this sport, among this number was Schneiderman, who 
deemed the pleasure of going down the hill not compensa- 
tion enough for the amount of vis-viva necessary to gain 
the top again. (Schneiderman took Bracket elective.) 

"Professor" Powers Parr, with his well trained Glee 
Club, afforded us a few very pleasant evenings, in a few of 
these he was assisted by the sister quartette. 

Some fellows cannot resist the temptation of giving up 
the enjoyment of a college evening for one spent in the 
society of ladies. Each and every class has had them, and 
have called them " mashers," and we find that we are not 
wanting in this line. For under this head would come Sam. 
Kendal and " Topsy " Coil. It is interesting to listen to 
the account of their conquests, but " Sam." once was van- 
quished, and for weeks afterwards, his thoughtful visage wore 
the effects of the fickleness of woman, and he wore an 
old slouch hat (became he had lost his new one) pulled down 
over one eye. " Topsy " was more fortunate than " Sam.," 



so 

he became so enamored over the charming fascinations of one 
of his numerous "mashes" that he almost determined to give 
up his college course, and enter upon the " holy bonds of 
hemlock ;" but some of his more deliberate friends pre- 
vailed upon him to wait until after he graduated before he 
took this fatal step . 

Billy Couksen is not exactly a " masher," but he is very 
fond of ladies' society, and of the mazy dance. The follow- 
ing little episode of how he spent an evening, in the second 
term, is well worth narrating. 

Billy received an invitation to an entertainment which 
was to take place some short distance from town, and ac- 
cepted the opportunity for having a good dance. On the ap- 
pointed evening he stuck his pumps into his pocket, and, 
accompanied by Townsend, started for the house. After a 
long walk they arrived at a gate at the head of a winding 
path, which led to the house. Here Billy expressed his 
doubts as to whether there would be a dressing room. Ee- 
sisting the arguments of Townsend, Billy determined to put 
his pumps on at the gate After he had made the change, he 
hid his shoes under a bush which stood some little distance 
from the path. There of course was a dressing room, but 
Billy concluded to let his shoes remain where he had hid 
them. He entered deeply into the festivities of the evening, 
and enjoyed himself so much that he heeded not the rain 
which was then falling in sheets, not until Townsend sug- 
gested to him that the rain would not be good for his shoes, 
did Billy realize the truth of the circumstance. " What," 
said Billy, in an alarmed tone, " is it raining ?" " Those are 
my newest shoes, so new, in fact, that my name can still be 
plainly read on the inside." Enjoyment for the evening was 
finished for him, and after many attempts he succeeded in 
getting Townsend to leave with him. On leaving the house 
it was so dark that Billy could scarcely find the path much 
less his shoes. After a fruitless attempt to find his hidden 
treasure, he gave up in despair. All the way home he mourned 



81 

his loss, and kuew that he would nun his pumps ; iu order 
that he might prevent this, he pulled them off and at- 
tempted to walk home in his stocking feet, but each step 
he took his loot came in contact with sharp stones, ex- 
tracting from him a cry of pain. Finally he concluded it 
was cheaper to destroy his pumps than liis feet, so put 
them on again. A few days afterwards Billy received his 
shoes, accompanied by a note, which informed him the shoes 
had been found by the gardener, and as they contained his 
name, his friends thought he must have dropped them as he 
was leaving the house. 

The chapel stage speaking this year took place much later 
than has been the custom in previous years. February 12 
was the date set by the Faculty for the performance of the 
first division. 

A meeting of the members of that division was called to 
make all necessary arrangements for that day. It was agreed 
by them that as these speeches were compulsory, the faculty 
should pay all expenses, and as they would not agree to do 
so, that we ought to have any kind of programmes we wished. 
John Pitney moved that we should have programmes com- 
posed of French, and that we should employ no music. This 
motion was unanimously carried. Dodd, who was in the 
chair, appointed Add. RodCxERs, Billy Ingham, and John 
Pitney to draw up the programme. John had prevented 
Professor Eayman from seeing the proof sheet, by constantly 
feeding him upon vain hopes. Friday, the 11th, came, and 
all the programmes had been printed, so John showed our 
Professor in Elocution the proof sheet. When Professor 
Rayman saw what had been done he was furious. ^ That 
afternoon John was summoned before the faculty. When he 
made his appearance they all in one voice flew at him. Prof. 
Murray was at a white heat, his lips curled with anger. He 
tossed furiously the keys in his pocket. John said he re- 
minded him of a volcano which was about to burst forth. 
There was a terrible volume of words lodged in his throat, 



82 

wliicli he could not get out. He finally succeeded to say : 
" You intend to make fun of us ! We will not stand it ! 
This will not be the last you shall hear of it !" At this criti- 
cal point Prof. Eayman chimed in and said : " No ! you shall 
hear more !" This " broke " Prof Mukray all up, and he 
brought what might have been a beautiful piece of oratori- 
cal rhetoric to an untimely ending. All this fuss ended in 
the simple confiscation of the programmes. 

When the division heard what had happened to the 
programmes, McCune and " Dinks " attempted to get more 
printed, but the faculty had requested the printer not to 
strike off any more. 

The fellows in college agreed not to attend the speaking 
of the first division, and in that way partly get even with 
the faculty for the confiscation of the programmes. The 
audience consisted of twenty-two persons, most of them were 
professors and ladies . 

After this the faculty had all the programmes printed, and 
the divisions procured music if they desired it. Among the 
many speeches made by the respective divisions, the subject 
of slavery was at length dwelt upon. The most noted of 
these fro. and con. was the witty oration of Hillhouse, who 
brought to bear in his speech many happy hits and sayings 
which caused prolonged spells of laughter. Another style of 
oration on this subject was delivered by " Gov." Dix. It was 
a heavy tragedy, written in blank verse. It described the 
darkest side of the South, and was ended by a grand confla- 
gration. Among many of the other speeches that might 
worthily be mentioned was Sleepy's memorable speech, which 
closed with a chorus of voices. 

Selheimer made a fine speech on the Jews, and as Jimmy 
rose to introduce the next speaker, he said, " I would like to 
compliment Mr. Selheimer on this noble defence he made of 
his ^people. 

The fifth division closed our chapel stage exercises, and 
the whole was brought to a triumphant ending by Dick Har- 



83 

LAND, who delivered his Junior Oration, which had on a pre- 
vious occasion this year crowned him with laurels, and on 
this one added fresh garlands to his triumphant wreath 

There is an idea prevalent in the world that a heavy man 
can sit most steadily in the saddle, but from this it does not 
follow that a heavy man can sit steadily on the bare back 
of an untamed, unbridled steed, for Vlymen fully demon- 
strated this fact one sunny day during the latter part of the 
second term, as Robbins, Sinclair and he were taking a walk 
for their constitution. 

This was no Mazeppa that Vlymen spied in a neighboring 
pasture, but on the contrary, a rather tame broken-down 
looking animal. 

With decoying signs, a wisp of straw, and a few kind 
words, Vlymen succeeded in getting the horse by the fore- 
lock, by which he led him to the fence. Sinclair climbed 
up on a post and held the steed while Vlymen mounted. 
This domestic animal made no sign of resistance, no doubt 
"other children" had a thousand times before done the 
same thing. 

" All right," said Vlymen, as he settled himself upon the 
horse's back, " you may let him go now." Sinclair released 
his hold and allowed the animal perfect freedom, who started 
off on a slow walk, but this gait did not suit Vlymen, by re- 
quest, Bobbins touched up the sleepy horse from be- 
hind, but this was no child's blow that was then put on. 
This kind animal was not accustomed to such rough treat- 
ment, and started off at a brisk trot, Vlymen was jolted ter- 
ribly, and not enjoying this gait as much as the first, he dug 
the animal in the sides with his heels, who became frightened 
by feeling these heavy weights knock against his ribs, and 
started across the field at a break-neck speed, and fast ap- 
proached a mud pond. Vlymen became excited, yelled fran- 
tically to Bobbins and Sinclair to head the horse off, but 
they were so convulsed with laughter that they were unable 
to render him any assistance. On dashed the horse, and 



84 

each moment Vlymen grew more anxious for the safety of 
his neck. At irregular intervals he avouIcI bounce high from 
the horse's neck and land heavily on tlie rear of the animal, 
then again he would approach the neck and ears during the 
intervals of his " rise and fall." He thought about what he 
could do, but before he had settled upon any definite plan 
of action, the horse at the edge of the pond made a sudden 
stop. Vlymen grabbed for the ears that had before pre- 
vented a fall, but he felt them slip tauntilizingly through his 
fingers, and his flying leap was inevitable ; the next instant 
he found himself knee-deep in mud, then and there he swore 
that he would never ride another horse without a bridle, no 
matter how gentle he seemed to be. 

The third term of Senior Year soon came, and we fre- 
quented the steps of old North, here the vocal talent of our 
class held forth, Craven and Orr were conspicuous among 
the leaders. 

One evening Dick Harland assumed command in leading 
the singing, he performed his duty so well that a brass band 
was invited on the campus, and Dick was selected its leader. 
After swinging his haton for some time he grew more at 
home in his new occupation, and asked the Avhole College to 
join in singing, which they did, and Dick boasted afterwards 
that he had the whole College at his beck and call. 

The historian of '81 found a record in one of his note 
books, which stated that Pliny Fish had been in College two 
suceessive days that week. The historian fears to expatiate 
on this note, as he thinks there must be some mistake about 
it, and would not like to hurt Pliny's feelings by accusing 
him of any such thing. 

The short third term of Senior Year soon waned away, 
and our finals came on, these, in their turn, passed quickly, 
nothing of importance happening to detract from the ^Zeas- 
ure of this occupation, and we in due time wore gracefully 
the title of snobs, which was with envy put at us by the Ju- 
niors in an interrogative form. Then we became graduates 
from Chapel and the daily life of College men. 



85 



No mentiou has been made of the many successful games 
of base ball played by our class nine ; but the victory of the 
University team on June the tirst, although not a class affair, 
must be recorded by us as the most exciting game played 
during our course. It is a game that will be long remem- 
bered by all who saw it. 



VALEDICTORY. 

Our History is now eocled. Those who have in any way 
lightened our burden, your Historian takes this opportunity 
to tender his heartfelt thanks. 

We acknowledge your many kind words of encouragement 
which have refreshed our drooping spirits from time to time, 
as summer's showers do the thirsty flowers. 

We thank you for the honor you have bestowed upon us, 
and regret that we were not more worthy of it. Those who 
have not attempted this task have no appreciable idea of the 
amount of work necessary to complete a history, and are too 
apt to criticise severely. We have worked hard, but under 
numerous disadvantages, and appreciate the many short- 
comings found in this volume. 

The time for us to say farewell has come, and your His- 
torian takes this his last opportunity to speak the parting 
word. 

A sad feeling creeps over us when we feel that the four 
years of our intermate association has come to its natural 
end. A short and fruitful four years to some, while to 
others it has been a pilgrimage through a vineyard rich 
with fruit, where they stayed not their hands to pluck a 
bunch, but wandering on in hopes of finding bitten ate not 
at all. When at last this vineyard is passed they look back 
upon the many opportunities they have allowed to pass un- 
improved, and regret their indolence. Now we have reached 
the border land which separates our happy college days from 
the wide wide world. Erom this pinnacle of our youth we 
view on the one hand the pleasant fields just passed, while 
on "the other we see the jostling world, the frowning forest 
of superstition and the sea of life. 



87 

Soon we are to leave these familiar walks and classic 
shades, and change the quiet college life for that of stern 
reality. Many predictions have painted to this as the final 
year, of the world, and it rests with us to enter this wilder- 
ness of superstition and make the world feel the influence 
of '81. 

Our occupations and duties of life will be varied, our homes 
separated, but let us hope that the memories of these four 
years spent together will tinge with silvery rays the darkest 
cloud of grief that may overshadow our lives, and when our 
heads are bent with age, like pilgrims wandering back to 
some loved spot to die, may your thoughts return to our col- 
lege days, and it is the earnest hope of your Historian that 
this volume will serve in some degree as an instrument by 
which these memories are unearthed. 




CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS' 

NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



The Authorized American Edition of the Corres- 
pondence of I'rince Talleyrand and Louis XVI II. during the Congress of 
Vienna. 1814-15. With a Preface, Observations, and Notes by M. G. Pal- 
LAIN, of the French Foreign Office, i vol., crown 8vo, with Biographical and 
Descriptive Index and Steel Portrait, f i.oo. (If ordered to be "sent by mail, 
17 cents must be added for postage ) 

The Sailor's Handy-book and Yachtman's Manual. 

By E. F. QuALTROUGH, Master U. S. Navy i vol. i6mo, 620 pp., blue 
roan, red edges With colored plates and many illustrations. Ready July i. 

Woman's Handiwork in Modern Homes By 

Constance Cary Harrison, i With illustrations by George Gibson, Mrs. 
Wheeler, Miss Dora Wheeler, and others, and five plates in colors, i vol. 
i2mo., $2.00 

The Cat. An introduction to the Study of Back-boned Animals, 
especially Mammals. By St. George Mivart. 200 illustrations. 584 
pages, I vol.., crown, 8vo. $3.50. 

Madame Delphine. By George W. Cable, author of "The 
Grandissimes" and "Old Creole Days." i vol., sq. 121110. cloth, 75c. Ready 
July 1st. 

Handicapped. By Marion Harland. i vol. i2mo. 

The English in Ireland in the XVIIIth Century. 

By James Anthony Froude. 3 vols., crown 8vo, gilt top. NeT.i' Library 
edition, with Supplementary Chapter. Price reduced to $4.50. 

Chips from a German Workshop. Vol. 5. Later 

Miscellaneous Essays. By Max Muller. Crown 8vo. $2.00. 

*^*A new Library edition of Chips from a German Workshop has been issued, 

price reduced to $2.00 per vol. 

Turkish Life in War Time. By Henry O. Dwight. 

I vol. i2nio $1.50. 

The Origin of Nations. By Professor George Rawlinson, 
M.A. I vol. i2ino. With maps, $1.00. 

Knights of To-day; or, Love and Science. By Charles 

Barnard, i vol. 121110. $1 00. 

The Chaldean Account of Grenesis. By the Late 

George Smith New Edition, Edited, Revised and Corrected by Professor 
A. H. S,\YCE. With illustrations, i vol., 8vo. $3.00. 



*^* These Books are for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent prepaid, on receipt 

of price, .by 

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, 

Nos, 743 & 745 Broadway, N= Y, 






->' / / :/ 



/. L K 



EARL 8l WILSON'S 



LINEN COLLARS AND CUFFS 



ARE THE BEST. 



FOR SALE EVERYIVIIERE. 



r^ 



BEHpiGE 



OFFICE OF THE 



KiDD MAt(UFACTUI[ING COMPjlNY, 

H,o. 107 WEST 23d STREET, 



COR. 6TH AVENUE, 



fW YORK. 



MANUFACTURERS OF 



JlTHLETic, Rowing and Gymnasium Outfits, 



ALSO. 



Fine Dress Shirts, 

Flannel and Cloth Traveling Shirts, 

Yacht and Barge Shirts. 



per doz., $24 00 & 30 00 

each, 3 5U to 5 50 

" 3 50 to 5 50 



Bicycle, Base Ball and Cricket Suits. Swiiriining and Bathing Suits. 

UNDER THE MANAGEIVIENT OF 

CHAS. W. KIDD. 



JOSEPHGILLOTTS 





1%^ THE MOST PERFECT OF PENS. .^^^ 






?^/. '^^^ "^iVt/;^ / N?? 1-303-170- ^^r\P^ "^^^r^^ 

^-^oT'^o^^airiK.J:^^^^^ styles to f ^^o^^^C.'^'' .^-^"Ic 

^V.^^^ ^-Sqq ' 'Nq^ all hands.) Y ^^ V^^ <^<^^ Jb^. 

SOLD BY ALL DEALERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 

Wholesale Warehouse, 91 John Street, New York. 



Messrs, TIFFANY & Co.'s 
various departments of design 
connected with the diiFerent 
branches of their business, enable 
them to produce original and 
successful drawings for articles 
which they manufacture. 

Their facilities for executing 
orders for INVITATIONS and 
other Stationery, SILVER- 
WARE and JEWELRY, arc 
unequaled in this country. 

Correspondence invited. 
UNION SQUARE, New York. 



w 



^ 




ii^f'M 



^■'l^ 






# S 968 691. eOO 




ssaaoNODdOAavaan 



